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The differences between tow truck operators and tow 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 tow truck driver. Additionally, a tow truck operator has an average salary of $43,448, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.
The top three skills for a tow truck operator include transport vehicles, tow truck and DOT. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.
| Tow Truck Operator | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $38,555 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $18.54 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 666,918 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| 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.
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.
Tow truck operators and tow truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $38,555 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Auburn, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a tow truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and tow truck drivers' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |