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The differences between tow truck operators and truck drivers class a 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 truck driver class a. Additionally, a truck driver class a has an average salary of $63,270, 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 truck driver class a are CDL, PET, and OTR.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $63,270 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $30.42 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 709,900 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify. Among the duties of a Truck Driver Class A will also revolve around securing and monitoring the quantity and quality of items, maintaining the vehicle in good condition, abide by the traffic rules and regulations, adhere to the company standards and policies, and have precise coordination with every workforce involved.
Tow truck operators and truck drivers class a have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $63,270 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $43,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a truck driver class a in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and truck drivers class a' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |