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The differences between tractor-trailer drivers and local 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 local driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.
The top three skills for a tractor-trailer driver include DOT, CDL and OTR. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Local Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $58,498 | $48,160 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 690,787 | 786,531 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| 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 local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.
Tractor-trailer drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $58,498 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $84,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Montana |
| Best paying company | Exel Inc. | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tractor-trailer driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tractor-trailer drivers' and local drivers' demographics:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |