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Spotter driver vs commercial driver

The differences between spotter 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 spotter driver and a commercial driver. Additionally, a spotter driver has an average salary of $48,925, which is higher than the $46,852 average annual salary of a commercial driver.

The top three skills for a spotter driver include CDL, dock doors and DOT. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Spotter driver vs commercial driver overview

Spotter DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$46,852
Hourly rate$23.52$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,8121,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs commercial driver salary

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

Spotter DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$48,925$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYAuburn, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressLaramie County Community College
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and commercial driver education

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

Spotter DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Spotter driver vs commercial driver demographics

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

Spotter DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.7% 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 spotter driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Spotter driver example responsibilities.

  • Communicate daily with dispatch for pickup and delivery appointments.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

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

Spotter driver vs commercial driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

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