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The differences between tank truck drivers and commercial 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 truck driver and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $59,007 average annual salary of a tank truck driver.
The top three skills for a tank truck driver include CDL, tractor trailer and OTR. The most important skills for a commercial truck driver are CDL, good time management, and safety issues.
A tank truck driver is responsible for delivering a large volume of products to the customers or warehouse centers, such as gasoline, oil, and other related chemicals. Tank truck drivers ensure the regular maintenance of the truck's engine, immediately repairing inconsistencies and glitches to avoid potential hazards and delays in deliveries. They should also abide by road regulations at all times, requiring them to have a clean driving record to handle their duties under strict conditions and deadlines.
A commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
Tank truck drivers and commercial truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tank Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $59,007 | $64,512 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $41,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | New York |
| Best paying company | Air Products | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tank truck driver and a commercial truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tank Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tank truck drivers' and commercial truck drivers' demographics:
| Tank Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |