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Tank driver vs local truck driver

The differences between tank drivers and local 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 tank driver and a local truck driver. Additionally, a local truck driver has an average salary of $59,069, which is higher than the $51,471 average annual salary of a tank driver.

The top three skills for a tank driver include CDL, hazmat and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a local truck driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.

Tank driver vs local truck driver overview

Tank DriverLocal Truck Driver
Yearly salary$51,471$59,069
Hourly rate$24.75$28.40
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs783,401709,260
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a tank driver do?

The duties of a tank driver depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, they are responsible for transporting goods or hazardous materials, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Their tasks often revolve around coordinating with managers or office staff, handling or organizing documentation, managing schedules, and liaising with clients. Furthermore, as a tank driver, it is crucial to abide by all the traffic laws and conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure everyone's safety.

What does a local truck driver do?

A local truck driver is an employee who drives a company truck to transport goods to and from specified locations within a designated geographic area. Local truck drivers must ensure that the transported goods are well-secured and not damaged during the transit. They must liaise with dispatch to communicate any traffic issues and delays as well as notify the management of any accidents or vehicle damage. Local truck drivers must also assist in loading and unloading of goods by using hand trucks and electric lifts as required.

Tank driver vs local truck driver salary

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

Tank DriverLocal Truck Driver
Average salary$51,471$59,069
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $75,000Between $40,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityDenver, CONewark, DE
Highest paying stateColoradoDelaware
Best paying companyKemira ChemicalsWalmart
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between tank driver and local truck driver education

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

Tank DriverLocal Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Tank driver vs local truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between tank drivers' and local truck drivers' demographics:

Tank DriverLocal Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between tank driver and local truck driver duties and responsibilities

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

Local truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Train driver in safety regulations and teach HAZMAT classes.
  • Stay compliant with FMCSA, TSA and FAA
  • Work local and OTR deliveries.
  • cross dock worker local ltl driver
  • Navigate route using maps and GPS.
  • Obtain CDL and deliver products to local stores
  • Show more

Tank driver vs local truck driver skills

Common tank driver skills
  • CDL, 45%
  • Hazmat, 19%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 6%
  • OTR, 5%
  • Customer Locations, 4%
  • PTO, 3%
Common local truck driver skills
  • CDL, 52%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • OTR, 9%
  • Hazmat, 6%
  • PET, 4%
  • Pallet Jack, 3%

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