Post job

Spotter driver vs flatbed driver

The differences between spotter drivers and flatbed 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 flatbed driver. Additionally, a flatbed driver has an average salary of $57,099, which is higher than the $48,925 average annual salary of a spotter driver.

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

Spotter driver vs flatbed driver overview

Spotter DriverFlatbed Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$57,099
Hourly rate$23.52$27.45
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,812781,449
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs flatbed driver salary

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

Spotter DriverFlatbed Driver
Average salary$48,925$57,099
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $39,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYChicago, IL
Highest paying stateAlaskaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressHub Group
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and flatbed driver education

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

Spotter DriverFlatbed Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Spotter driver vs flatbed driver demographics

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

Spotter DriverFlatbed Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
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, 13.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between spotter driver and flatbed 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.

Flatbed driver example responsibilities.

  • Route development now reduce to GPS mapping and computer logs.
  • Operate flatbed tractor/trailer unit in the pickup and delivery of metals auto parts to area recycling yards.
  • Utilize forklift to load and unload pallets and product rolls in company's yard and at delivery site.
  • Load truck from warehouse, operate forklift, organize stock pallets and unload trucks and make deliveries to multiple customers.
  • Obtain and maintain proper delivery authorization and pickup documentation.
  • Provide transportation services for major commercial shipping customers, including Walmart and Budweiser.

Spotter driver vs flatbed driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common flatbed driver skills
  • CDL, 39%
  • OTR, 18%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
  • TWIC, 4%
  • DOT Regulations, 4%

Browse transportation jobs