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The differences between tow truck operators and operators and truck driver 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 an operator and truck driver. Additionally, an operator and truck driver has an average salary of $250,847, 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 an operator and truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Tow Truck Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $250,847 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $120.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 483,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| 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.
An operator and truck driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of goods and services within a particular area. One must have the skills and credentials, such as a license for driving large vehicles, and stamina for the long drives. Aside from this, they must also abide by the traffic rules and regulations at all times, even conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition. Furthermore, an operator and truck driver must coordinate with clients and other workers to ensure that all deliveries are accurate and timely.
Tow truck operators and operators and truck driver have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $250,847 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $126,000 And $497,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | York |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and an operator and truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and operators and truck driver' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |