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The differences between tow truck drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, a local driver has an average salary of $48,160, 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 local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $38,555 | $48,160 |
| Hourly rate | $18.54 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 666,918 | 786,531 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| 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 local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.
Tow truck drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,555 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Montana |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck drivers' and local drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |