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The differences between tractor-trailer drivers and driver/movers 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 driver/mover. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $32,317 average annual salary of a driver/mover.
The top three skills for a tractor-trailer driver include DOT, CDL and OTR. The most important skills for a driver/mover are customer service, equipment inventory, and CDL.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Driver/Mover | |
| Yearly salary | $58,498 | $32,317 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $15.54 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 690,787 | 929,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| 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 driver/mover is responsible for preparing and arranging items for delivery from the distribution center to assigned destinations. Driver/movers assist with loading and unloading merchandise using various warehouse tools and equipment. They also inspect the packaging of items, ensuring that the products are free of any defects and immediately escalate damaged items to the management. A driver/mover checks the accuracy of inventory reports to determine the correct quantity of the delivered items before and after shipment to prevent client misunderstandings and complaints.
Tractor-trailer drivers and driver/movers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Driver/Mover | |
| Average salary | $58,498 | $32,317 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $84,000 | Between $23,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlanta, GA | Lynnwood, WA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Exel Inc. | University of Washington |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Energy |
There are a few differences between a tractor-trailer driver and a driver/mover in terms of educational background:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Driver/Mover | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tractor-trailer drivers' and driver/movers' demographics:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Driver/Mover | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 97.2% Female, 2.8% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |