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The differences between tractor-trailer drivers and commercial 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 tractor-trailer driver and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $58,498 average annual salary of a tractor-trailer driver.
The top three skills for a tractor-trailer driver include DOT, CDL and OTR. The most important skills for a commercial truck driver are CDL, good time management, and safety issues.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $58,498 | $64,512 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $31.02 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 690,787 | 719,069 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays. They should also have extensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the vehicle's condition regularly, repairing any inconsistencies, and replacing defective components to ensure smooth operations. A tractor-trailer driver must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns and escalating complaints to management for immediate resolution.
A commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
Tractor-trailer drivers and commercial truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $58,498 | $64,512 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $84,000 | Between $41,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | New York |
| Best paying company | Exel Inc. | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tractor-trailer driver and a commercial truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tractor-trailer drivers' and commercial truck drivers' demographics:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |