Tow Truck Driver Demographics and Statistics In The US
Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for tow truck drivers in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 31,948 tow truck drivers currently employed in the United States.
- 4.4% of all tow truck drivers are women, while 95.6% are men.
- The average age of an employed tow truck driver is 47 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of tow truck drivers is White (58.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (20.2%), Black or African American (11.4%) and Unknown (4.8%).
- Tow truck drivers are most in-demand in Phoenix, AZ.
- The transportation industry is the highest-paying for tow truck drivers.
- 4% of all tow truck drivers are LGBT.
Tow Truck Driver Statistics By Gender
4.4% of tow truck drivers are women and 95.6% of tow truck drivers are men.
- Male, 95.6%
- Female, 4.4%
Tow Truck Drivers By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 95.6% |
| Female | 4.4% |
Gender Pay Gap For Tow Truck Driver
Women Earn 92ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Tow Truck Driver Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the tow truck driver position over time.
Tow Truck Driver Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 96.80% | 3.20% |
| 2011 | 96.70% | 3.30% |
| 2012 | 96.40% | 3.60% |
| 2013 | 96.26% | 3.74% |
| 2014 | 96.12% | 3.88% |
| 2015 | 96.17% | 3.83% |
| 2016 | 96.04% | 3.96% |
| 2017 | 95.96% | 4.04% |
| 2018 | 95.47% | 4.53% |
| 2019 | 95.55% | 4.45% |
| 2020 | 95.64% | 4.36% |
| 2021 | 95.60% | 4.40% |
Tow Truck Driver Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, diesel truck driver and tank wagon driver have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Matron | 11% | 89% |
| Bus Escort | 18% | 82% |
| Bus Monitor | 19% | 81% |
| Tow Truck Driver | 96% | 4% |
| Wrecker Operator | 99% | 1% |
| Tank Wagon Driver | 99% | 1% |
| Diesel Truck Driver | 100% | 0% |
Tow Truck Driver Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among tow truck drivers is White, which makes up 58.8% of all tow truck drivers. Comparatively, there are 20.2% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 11.4% of the Black or African American ethnicity.
- White, 58.8%
- Hispanic or Latino, 20.2%
- Black or African American, 11.4%
- Unknown, 4.8%
- Asian, 3.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
Tow Truck Driver Race
| Tow Truck Driver Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 58.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.2% |
| Black or African American | 11.4% |
| Unknown | 4.8% |
| Asian | 3.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.9% |
Tow Truck Driver Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among tow truck drivers.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Tow Truck Driver Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 67.78% | 10.16% | 2.77% | 16.54% |
| 2011 | 67.41% | 10.54% | 2.79% | 16.42% |
| 2012 | 66.70% | 10.69% | 2.94% | 16.77% |
| 2013 | 66.78% | 10.22% | 2.86% | 17.29% |
| 2014 | 66.51% | 10.67% | 3.04% | 16.93% |
| 2015 | 65.59% | 11.00% | 3.08% | 17.40% |
| 2016 | 64.81% | 10.64% | 3.17% | 18.27% |
| 2017 | 64.60% | 10.76% | 3.20% | 18.44% |
| 2018 | 64.10% | 10.81% | 3.50% | 18.45% |
| 2019 | 64.49% | 10.78% | 3.32% | 18.35% |
| 2020 | 61.71% | 10.76% | 3.55% | 18.63% |
| 2021 | 58.76% | 11.45% | 3.90% | 20.24% |
Tow Truck Driver Wage Gap By Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $37,865 |
| White | $38,097 |
| Black or African American | $37,680 |
| Asian | $37,586 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $37,808 |
Tow Truck Driver JOBS
Average Age of a Tow Truck Driver
We determined the average age of tow truck drivers based on ethnicity and gender.
Tow Truck Driver Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 49 | 44 |
| Unknown | 46 | 39.5 |
| Asian | 46 | 43 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 45 | 43 |
| White | 51 | 48 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 49.5 | 47 |
Tow Truck Driver Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of tow truck driver employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of tow truck drivers is 40+ years old, which represents 72% of the population.
Tow Truck Driver Age
| Tow Truck Driver Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 72% |
| 30-40 years | 19% |
| 20-30 years | 9% |
Types of Tow Truck Driver Degree Levels
The most common degree for tow truck drivers is high school diploma 57% of tow truck drivers earn that degree. A close second is associate degree with 15% and rounding it off is diploma with 14%.
- High School Diploma, 57%
- Associate, 15%
- Diploma, 14%
- Bachelors, 5%
- Other Degrees, 9%
Tow Truck Drivers By Education
| Tow Truck Driver Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 57% |
| Associate | 15% |
| Diploma | 14% |
| Bachelors | 5% |
| Other Degrees | 9% |
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Tow Truck Driver Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $38,691 |
| Master's Degree | $36,247 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $38,939 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $39,250 |
Tow Truck Driver Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where tow truck drivers work. We found most tow truck drivers work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most tow truck drivers is the automotive industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire tow truck drivers.
Tow Truck Driver Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 10% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 23% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 25% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 15% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 19% |
| > 10,000 employees | 8% |
The Types Of Companies Tow Truck Driver Work In
Employees with the tow truck driver job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most tow truck drivers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Tow Truck Driver Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Public | 13% |
| Private | 82% |
| Government | 5% |
Top Industries Hiring Tow Truck Drivers
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ tow truck drivers. Those industries include automotive, retail and professional.
Tow Truck Driver Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Automotive | 13% |
| Retail | 11% |
| Professional | 9% |
| Hospitality | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 8% |
| Transportation | 8% |
| Technology | 7% |
| Construction | 6% |
| Government | 5% |
| Insurance | 5% |
| Finance | 4% |
| Media | 3% |
| Start-up | 2% |
| Real Estate | 2% |
| Telecommunication | 2% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Health Care | 1% |
| Fortune 500 | 1% |
Tow Truck Driver Turnover And Employment Statistics
Tow Truck Driver Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of tow truck drivers changed.
- Unemployment rate
Tow Truck Driver Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Tow Truck Driver Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10.33% |
| 2011 | 8.73% |
| 2012 | 7.76% |
| 2013 | 6.88% |
| 2014 | 5.54% |
| 2015 | 4.98% |
| 2016 | 4.17% |
| 2017 | 4.08% |
| 2018 | 3.68% |
| 2019 | 3.45% |
| 2020 | 5.26% |
| 2021 | 5.44% |
The Average Number of Years That Tow Truck Driver Stay in a Job
By looking over 6,789 tow truck drivers resumes, we figured out that the average tow truck driver enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 34%.
Tow Truck Driver Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 30% |
| 1-2 years | 34% |
| 3-4 years | 13% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 6% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Tow Truck Drivers with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to tow truck drivers.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Operator | 1.73% | 26,419 |
| Tow Truck Driver | 3.95% | - |
| Wide Load Escort | 6.17% | 1,317 |
| Trackless Trolley Driver | 8.69% | 34,103 |
| School Bus Attendant | 8.77% | 67,375 |
Tow Truck Driver LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Operator | 1.73% | 26,419 |
| Wide Load Escort | 6.17% | 1,317 |
| Trackless Trolley Driver | 8.69% | 34,103 |
| School Bus Attendant | 8.77% | 67,375 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Tow Truck Drivers
The most common foreign language among tow truck drivers is Spanish at 80.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is Portuguese at 3.4% and German is the third-most popular at 3.4%.
- Spanish, 80.5%
- Portuguese, 3.4%
- German, 3.4%
- Carrier, 3.4%
- French, 2.3%
- Other, 7.0%
Tow Truck Driver Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 80.5% |
| Portuguese | 3.4% |
| German | 3.4% |
| Carrier | 3.4% |
| French | 2.3% |
| Other | 7.0% |
Tow Truck Driver Jobs
Recently Added Tow Truck Driver Jobs
Tow Truck Driver Heatmaps
The amount you can make as a tow truck driver can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of tow truck drivers is $47,553. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where Do Tow Truck Drivers Earn The Most?
Tow truck drivers earn the most in Washington, where the average tow truck driver salary is $52,947. The map here shows where tow truck drivers earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Which State Has The Most Tow Truck Drivers?
By looking through more than 6,789 resumes, we found that the most popular places for tow truck drivers are Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA.
Number Of Tow Truck Driver Jobs By State
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16,485 | $45,793 |
| 2 | Illinois | 12,701 | $36,818 |
| 3 | Ohio | 12,476 | $34,761 |
| 4 | Georgia | 9,924 | $35,995 |
| 5 | Texas | 9,401 | $37,365 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 9,236 | $35,740 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 7,979 | $33,644 |
| 8 | Indiana | 6,990 | $36,520 |
| 9 | New York | 6,517 | $40,759 |
| 10 | Michigan | 5,678 | $35,532 |
| 11 | Virginia | 5,421 | $34,803 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,146 | $40,166 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 5,051 | $31,732 |
| 14 | Tennessee | 4,942 | $32,897 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 4,766 | $46,274 |
| 16 | Florida | 4,110 | $30,888 |
| 17 | Maryland | 3,709 | $36,646 |
| 18 | Kentucky | 3,555 | $32,934 |
| 19 | Alabama | 3,410 | $30,323 |
| 20 | Missouri | 3,353 | $36,828 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 3,314 | $27,147 |
| 22 | Washington | 3,103 | $52,947 |
| 23 | New Jersey | 2,755 | $39,733 |
| 24 | Iowa | 2,662 | $36,437 |
| 25 | Oregon | 2,360 | $41,787 |
| 26 | Colorado | 2,223 | $39,555 |
| 27 | Mississippi | 2,154 | $30,898 |
| 28 | Arkansas | 2,049 | $33,123 |
| 29 | Kansas | 1,937 | $32,272 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 1,884 | $41,281 |
| 31 | Arizona | 1,800 | $37,742 |
| 32 | Utah | 1,686 | $40,248 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | 1,618 | $34,208 |
| 34 | West Virginia | 1,523 | $35,609 |
| 35 | New Mexico | 1,472 | $32,281 |
| 36 | Connecticut | 1,430 | $36,758 |
| 37 | Idaho | 1,334 | $37,817 |
| 38 | Delaware | 1,075 | $36,848 |
| 39 | Nebraska | 987 | $37,778 |
| 40 | Nevada | 735 | $41,813 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 589 | $44,351 |
| 42 | Maine | 583 | $37,006 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | 534 | $42,037 |
| 44 | Wyoming | 511 | $40,669 |
| 45 | Montana | 511 | $41,730 |
| 46 | Vermont | 427 | $43,634 |
| 47 | South Dakota | 417 | $38,382 |
| 48 | North Dakota | 325 | $45,371 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 95 | $38,380 |
| 50 | Alaska | 72 | $49,698 |
| 51 | Hawaii | 54 | $44,688 |