Semi truck driver vs professional truck driver

The differences between semi truck 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 truck driver and a professional truck driver. Additionally, a semi truck driver has an average salary of $57,712, which is higher than the $48,577 average annual salary of a professional truck driver.

The top three skills for a semi truck driver include CDL, DOT and log book. The most important skills for a professional truck driver are CDL, safety regulations, and on-time delivery.

Semi truck driver vs professional truck driver overview

	Semi Truck Driver	Professional Truck Driver
Yearly salary	$57,712	$48,577
Hourly rate	$27.75	$23.35
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	793,750	739,437
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Semi truck driver vs professional truck driver salary

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

	Semi Truck Driver	Professional Truck Driver
Average salary	$57,712	$48,577
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $86,000	Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Bismarck, ND	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Rhode Island
Best paying company	Mid-South Management	Wellpath
Best paying industry	Transportation	Transportation

Differences between semi truck driver and professional truck driver education

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

	Semi Truck Driver	Professional Truck Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Semi truck driver vs professional truck driver demographics

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

	Semi Truck Driver	Professional Truck Driver
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%	Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 62.1% 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 Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between semi truck driver and professional truck driver duties and responsibilities

Semi truck driver example responsibilities.

Complete training to obtain CDL 'S
Handle multiple projects simultaneously under OSHA and Hazmat.
45810419-759-2020Haul oversized loads, equipment hauling, OTR work.
Deliver aggregate and asphalt product to various job sites throughout Arizona.
Experience in handling of high value and HazMat materials, including securement and placarding.
Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.

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

Semi truck driver vs professional truck driver skills

Common semi truck driver skills

CDL, 42%
DOT, 15%
Log Book, 6%
Asphalt, 6%
OTR, 4%
Food Products, 3%

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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Semi Truck Driver
Semi Truck Driver vs Professional Truck Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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