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Semi driver vs professional truck driver

The differences between semi drivers and professional truck 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 professional truck driver. Additionally, a semi driver has an average salary of $49,041, which is higher than the $48,577 average annual salary of a professional truck driver.

The top three skills for a semi driver include safety checks, customer locations and OTR. The most important skills for a professional truck driver are CDL, safety regulations, and on-time delivery.

Semi driver vs professional truck driver overview

Semi DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Yearly salary$49,041$48,577
Hourly rate$23.58$23.35
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs780,114739,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Semi driver vs professional truck driver salary

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

Semi DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average salary$49,041$48,577
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Wellpath
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between semi driver and professional truck driver education

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

Semi DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Semi driver vs professional truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between semi drivers' and professional truck drivers' demographics:

Semi DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 91.7% Female, 8.3%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
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, 14.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between semi driver and professional truck 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.

Professional truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Maintain current commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Perform equipment inspections, load and unload liquid HazMat.
  • Select as OTR driver certify in tanker, double and triple.
  • Diversify freight transportation OTR, as well as business and home delivery.
  • Train students and company employees in professional truck driving leading to student acquiring CDL.
  • Truck driving/safety checks on all equipment and cargo/The on time pickup and delivery of cargo
  • Show more

Semi driver vs professional truck driver skills

Common semi driver skills
  • Safety Checks, 18%
  • Customer Locations, 13%
  • OTR, 12%
  • Delivery Schedules, 7%
  • Customer Relations, 6%
  • Semi Trailers, 5%
Common professional truck driver skills
  • CDL, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 15%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • OTR, 7%
  • Vehicle Service, 6%
  • Semi, 5%

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