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The differences between tow truck drivers and fuel 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 tow truck driver and a fuel truck driver. Additionally, a fuel truck driver has an average salary of $56,767, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.
The top three skills for a tow truck driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a fuel truck driver are CDL, hazmat, and DOT.
| Tow Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $38,555 | $56,767 |
| Hourly rate | $18.54 | $27.29 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 666,918 | 876,579 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| 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 Fuel Truck Driver transports fuel and other petroleum products from one place to another, ensuring safety and timeliness. Their responsibilities include measuring and calculating fuel deliveries, maintaining records, handling documentation, liaising with clients, preparing progress reports, and overseeing the loading and unloading procedures, ensuring adherence to the company's safety standards and regulations. A Fuel Truck Driver must conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Tow truck drivers and fuel truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,555 | $56,767 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $38,000 And $83,000 |
| 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 fuel truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck drivers' and fuel truck drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 3.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |