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The differences between tow truck operators and 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 truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| 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 truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Tow truck operators and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Delaware |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Retail |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| 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' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |