Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between tow truck drivers and contract 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 tow truck driver and a contract driver. Additionally, a tow truck driver has an average salary of $38,555, which is higher than the $34,999 average annual salary of a contract driver.
The top three skills for a tow truck driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a contract driver are DOT, CDL, and tractor trailer.
| Tow Truck Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $38,555 | $34,999 |
| Hourly rate | $18.54 | $16.83 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 666,918 | 1,007,663 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Typically working upon the directives of dispatchers, a tow truck driver is in charge of driving to areas where a vehicle accident or breakdown took place, connecting the vehicle to the tow truck, and transporting them to repair stations or particular places. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to identify their needs, answering inquiries, providing assistance by performing minor repairs, changing tires or jump-starting cars, and recommending solutions when necessary. Furthermore, as a tow truck driver, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on towing trucks for a safe and efficient service.
A contract driver mainly provides transport services on a contractual basis. Their duties typically depend on their contract or place of employment; they may deliver goods or provide private transport to clients. When it comes to delivering goods, a contract driver must adhere to schedules and guidelines, maintain documents, and coordinate with clients. Furthermore, a contract driver must perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Tow truck drivers and contract drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,555 | $34,999 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a tow truck driver and a contract driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 30% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck drivers' and contract drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Driver | Contract Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |