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The differences between tow truck operators and dump 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 operator and a dump truck driver. Additionally, a dump truck driver has an average salary of $55,857, which is higher than the $43,448 average annual salary of a tow truck operator.
The top three skills for a tow truck operator include transport vehicles, tow truck and DOT. The most important skills for a dump truck driver are CDL, asphalt, and DOT.
| Tow Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $55,857 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $26.85 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 702,361 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Tow Truck Operator works with a towing company and assists with removing damaged vehicles from accident scenes or broken down vehicles that have been abandoned at the request of the owner of the vehicle or the owner of the property. Typically, the tow truck operator's duties start first by receiving a call from a dispatcher and then driving to the accident or breakdown scene. He/She connects the vehicle to the tow truck and transports it to its final destination, a junkyard or a service station.
A dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.
Tow truck operators and dump truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $55,857 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $43,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Ponca City, OK |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | North Central Group |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a dump truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and dump truck drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |