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Spotter driver vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between spotter drivers and tractor-trailer 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 tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, 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 tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Spotter driver vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Spotter DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$48,925$58,498
Hourly rate$23.52$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs641,812690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Spotter driver vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Spotter drivers and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Spotter DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$48,925$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $70,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityGuilderland, NYAtlanta, GA
Highest paying stateAlaskaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyNationwide ExpressExel Inc.
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between spotter driver and tractor-trailer driver education

There are a few differences between a spotter driver and a tractor-trailer driver in terms of educational background:

Spotter DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Spotter driver vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between spotter drivers' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Spotter DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.1% Female, 7.9%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between spotter driver and tractor-trailer 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.

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Spotter driver vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common spotter driver skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Dock Doors, 24%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Yard Truck, 7%
  • Spotter Truck, 2%
  • Spot Trailers, 1%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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