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The differences between tow truck drivers and local 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 local truck driver. Additionally, a local truck driver has an average salary of $59,069, 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 truck driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
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 truck driver is an employee who drives a company truck to transport goods to and from specified locations within a designated geographic area. Local truck drivers must ensure that the transported goods are well-secured and not damaged during the transit. They must liaise with dispatch to communicate any traffic issues and delays as well as notify the management of any accidents or vehicle damage. Local truck drivers must also assist in loading and unloading of goods by using hand trucks and electric lifts as required.
Tow truck drivers and local truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,555 | $59,069 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $40,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, WA | Newark, DE |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck driver and a local truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck drivers' and local truck drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |