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The differences between tractor-trailer drivers and truck drivers class a 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 truck driver class a. Additionally, a truck driver class a has an average salary of $63,270, 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 truck driver class a are CDL, PET, and OTR.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Yearly salary | $58,498 | $63,270 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $30.42 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 690,787 | 709,900 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify. Among the duties of a Truck Driver Class A will also revolve around securing and monitoring the quantity and quality of items, maintaining the vehicle in good condition, abide by the traffic rules and regulations, adhere to the company standards and policies, and have precise coordination with every workforce involved.
Tractor-trailer drivers and truck drivers class a have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average salary | $58,498 | $63,270 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $84,000 | Between $43,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlanta, GA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Exel Inc. | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tractor-trailer driver and a truck driver class a in terms of educational background:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tractor-trailer drivers' and truck drivers class a' demographics:
| Tractor-Trailer Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |