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The differences between tow truck operators and truck driver-over the roads 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-over-the-road. Additionally, a truck driver-over-the-road has an average salary of $69,158, 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-over-the-road are CDL, OTR, and PET.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $69,158 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $33.25 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 72,416 | 689,630 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| 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 truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.
Tow truck operators and truck driver-over the roads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $69,158 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $50,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Longview, WA | Des Moines, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | 7th Street Casino | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a tow truck operator and a truck driver-over-the-road in terms of educational background:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tow truck operators' and truck driver-over the roads' demographics:
| Tow Truck Operator | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% |
| 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, 13.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |