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Spotter driver vs tank driver

The differences between spotter drivers and tank 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 tank driver. Additionally, a tank driver has an average salary of $51,471, 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 tank driver are CDL, hazmat, and post-trip inspections.

Spotter driver vs tank driver overview

Spotter DriverTank Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$51,471
Hourly rate$23.52$24.75
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,812783,401
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs tank driver salary

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

Spotter DriverTank Driver
Average salary$48,925$51,471
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYDenver, CO
Highest paying stateAlaskaColorado
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressKemira Chemicals
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and tank driver education

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

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

Spotter driver vs tank driver demographics

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

Spotter DriverTank 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, 12.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between spotter driver and tank 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.

Tank driver example responsibilities.

  • Deliver a variety of commodities to surrounding mines OTR and locally.
  • Employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
  • Deliver chemicals to various locations in town and OTR.
  • Deliver liquid propane to commercial and residential accounts/perform safety checks/operate forklifts/follow D.O.T.
  • Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers and CB radios.
  • Hooked/Unhook trailers and converter dollies to or from a tractor and/or trailer.
  • Show more

Spotter driver vs tank driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common tank driver skills
  • CDL, 45%
  • Hazmat, 19%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 6%
  • OTR, 5%
  • Customer Locations, 4%
  • PTO, 3%

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