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The differences between tank drivers and 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 truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Tank Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $51,471 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $24.75 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 783,401 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Tank drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tank Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $51,471 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $75,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Kemira Chemicals | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a tank driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tank Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tank drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Tank Driver | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |