Post job

Tractor-trailer driver vs hi lo driver

The differences between tractor-trailer drivers and hi lo 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 hi lo driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $32,959 average annual salary of a hi lo driver.

The top three skills for a tractor-trailer driver include DOT, CDL and OTR. The most important skills for a hi lo driver are pallets, safety procedures, and assembly line.

Tractor-trailer driver vs hi lo driver overview

Tractor-Trailer DriverHi Lo Driver
Yearly salary$58,498$32,959
Hourly rate$28.12$15.85
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs690,787792,179
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Tractor-trailer driver vs hi lo driver salary

Tractor-trailer drivers and hi lo drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tractor-Trailer DriverHi Lo Driver
Average salary$58,498$32,959
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $84,000Between $27,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityAtlanta, GAHilo, HI
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaHawaii
Best paying companyExel Inc.Dana Incorporated
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between tractor-trailer driver and hi lo driver education

There are a few differences between a tractor-trailer driver and a hi lo driver in terms of educational background:

Tractor-Trailer DriverHi Lo Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Tractor-trailer driver vs hi lo driver demographics

Here are the differences between tractor-trailer drivers' and hi lo drivers' demographics:

Tractor-Trailer DriverHi Lo Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.2% Female, 6.8%Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 4.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between tractor-trailer driver and hi lo driver duties and responsibilities

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Hi lo driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
  • Update computer system by entering data regarding stock locations utilizing a RF gun.
  • Load parts to the CNC machine.
  • Create gears, splines, etc with CNC lathe
  • Clamp truck driver for a plastic manufacturing company.
  • Move rolls of carpet from dye machine to stock.
  • Show more

Tractor-trailer driver vs hi lo driver skills

Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%
Common hi lo driver skills
  • Pallets, 24%
  • Safety Procedures, 13%
  • Assembly Line, 8%
  • Unload Materials, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Pallet Jack, 4%

Browse transportation jobs