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Spotter driver vs local driver

The differences between spotter 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 spotter driver and a local driver. Additionally, a spotter driver has an average salary of $48,925, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a spotter driver include CDL, dock doors and DOT. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Spotter driver vs local driver overview

Spotter DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$48,160
Hourly rate$23.52$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,812786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs local driver salary

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

Spotter DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$48,925$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMontana
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressMid-South Management
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and local driver education

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

Spotter DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Spotter driver vs local driver demographics

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

Spotter DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between spotter driver and local 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.

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
  • Show more

Spotter driver vs local driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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