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Spotter driver vs tow truck driver

The differences between spotter drivers and tow 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 spotter driver and a tow truck driver. Additionally, a spotter driver has an average salary of $48,925, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.

The top three skills for a spotter driver include CDL, dock doors and DOT. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.

Spotter driver vs tow truck driver overview

Spotter DriverTow Truck Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$38,555
Hourly rate$23.52$18.54
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,812666,918
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs tow truck driver salary

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

Spotter DriverTow Truck Driver
Average salary$48,925$38,555
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYAuburn, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressCity of Detroit
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and tow truck driver education

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

Spotter DriverTow Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Spotter driver vs tow truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between spotter drivers' and tow truck drivers' demographics:

Spotter DriverTow Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between spotter driver and tow truck 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.

Tow truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Operate tow truck and equipment (dollies, go jacks).
  • Drive rollback tow truck, load and unload cars, secure cars on truck bed, operate hydraulic, maintain truck
  • Right eye injury and ineligibility for CDL )
  • Job require current CDL with clean driving record.
  • Maintain contracts with several companies as well as CHP work.
  • Show more

Spotter driver vs tow truck driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common tow truck driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 22%
  • CDL, 17%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Loaders, 10%
  • AAA, 8%
  • Fuel Delivery, 5%

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