Semi driver vs local driver

The differences between semi drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, a semi driver has an average salary of $49,041, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a semi driver include safety checks, customer locations and OTR. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Semi driver vs local driver overview

	Semi Driver	Local Driver
Yearly salary	$49,041	$48,160
Hourly rate	$23.58	$23.15
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	780,114	786,531
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Semi driver vs local driver salary

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

	Semi Driver	Local Driver
Average salary	$49,041	$48,160
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $69,000	Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Montana
Best paying company	-	Mid-South Management
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between semi driver and local driver education

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

	Semi Driver	Local Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Semi driver vs local driver demographics

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

	Semi Driver	Local Driver
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between semi driver and local 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.

Local driver example responsibilities.

Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial

Semi driver vs local driver skills

Common semi driver skills

Safety Checks, 18%
Customer Locations, 13%
OTR, 12%
Delivery Schedules, 7%
Customer Relations, 6%
Semi Trailers, 5%

Common local driver skills

CDL, 22%
DOT, 13%
Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
Pallet Jack, 7%
Hazmat, 7%