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The differences between tractor trailer operators and cdl class a 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 operator and a cdl class a driver. Additionally, a cdl class a driver has an average salary of $52,203, which is higher than the $38,754 average annual salary of a tractor trailer operator.
The top three skills for a tractor trailer operator include CDL, DOT and safety inspections. The most important skills for a cdl class a driver are OTR, customer service, and hazmat.
| Tractor Trailer Operator | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $38,754 | $52,203 |
| Hourly rate | $18.63 | $25.10 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 703,362 | 696,903 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Tractor-Trailer Operator typically operates a heavy-duty tractor/trailer over the road or city shuttle service or for trailer spotting operations. He/She knows how to make use of GPS and maps to chart the best and cost-efficient routes for delivery purposes. You will be responsible for dispatching vehicles for emergency response. You'll also do the following; monitor the performance of the trailer, perform regular maintenance on it and complete all paperwork. Besides, you'll be in constant communication with the aid of a CB radio for needed instructions.
A CDL Class A driver is a driver with a Class A commercial driver's license. A commercial driver's license is necessary to operate large, heavy, and placarded vehicles. There are several classifications of a commercial driver's license, and Class A is for a car towing a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds (5 t). Drivers with this type of license are entitled to operate a commercial motor vehicle such as passenger buses, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and dump trucks. They have the choice to add endorsements to their CDL, which allows them to operate particular types of commercial motor vehicles.
Tractor trailer operators and cdl class a drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Tractor Trailer Operator | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,754 | $52,203 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $55,000 | Between $36,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, WA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | UPS | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a tractor trailer operator and a cdl class a driver in terms of educational background:
| Tractor Trailer Operator | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tractor trailer operators' and cdl class a drivers' demographics:
| Tractor Trailer Operator | CDL Class A Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.8% Female, 6.3% | Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |