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The differences between semi drivers and cdl class a drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a semi driver and a cdl class a driver. Additionally, a cdl class a driver has an average salary of $52,203, which is higher than the $49,041 average annual salary of a semi driver.
The top three skills for a semi driver include safety checks, customer locations and OTR. The most important skills for a cdl class a driver are OTR, customer service, and hazmat.
Semi drivers and cdl class a drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Semi Driver | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Average salary | $49,041 | $52,203 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $69,000 | Between $36,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | - | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a semi driver and a cdl class a driver in terms of educational background:
| Semi Driver | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between semi drivers' and cdl class a drivers' demographics:
| Semi Driver | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |