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Semi driver vs commercial driver

The differences between semi drivers and commercial 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 commercial driver. Additionally, a semi driver has an average salary of $49,041, which is higher than the $46,852 average annual salary of a commercial driver.

The top three skills for a semi driver include safety checks, customer locations and OTR. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Semi driver vs commercial driver overview

Semi DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$49,041$46,852
Hourly rate$23.58$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs780,1141,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Semi driver vs commercial driver salary

Semi drivers and commercial drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Semi DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$49,041$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Laramie County Community College
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between semi driver and commercial driver education

There are a few differences between a semi driver and a commercial driver in terms of educational background:

Semi DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Semi driver vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between semi drivers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

Semi DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 91.7% Female, 8.3%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between semi driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Semi driver example responsibilities.

  • Try OTR driving, do not enjoy it.
  • Haul: hazmat loads and high security loads.
  • Used tracker and trailers (OTR) to deliver loads of scrap iron.
  • Fuel and maintain truck, and equipment, interact with computers, and GPS equipment.
  • Maintain telephone contact with supervisor or dispatcher to receive delivery or pickup instructions.
  • Maintain open communication via CB radio for additional instructions.

Commercial driver example responsibilities.

  • Haul HAZMAT with roll-off bins, tankers, flatb, dry vans and dumps.
  • Plan delivery route & schedule using maps and GPS devices.
  • Develop and maintain an efficient routing system utilizing GPS and map.
  • Operate a Volvo commercial truck and transport regional and OTR loads.
  • Train and evaluate entry-level drivers while operating as an OTR flatb driver.
  • Determine if they would benefit from coming to school and obtaining their CDL.
  • Show more

Semi driver vs commercial driver skills

Common semi driver skills
  • Safety Checks, 18%
  • Customer Locations, 13%
  • OTR, 12%
  • Delivery Schedules, 7%
  • Customer Relations, 6%
  • Semi Trailers, 5%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

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