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Trailer driver vs local driver

The differences between 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 trailer driver and a local driver. Additionally, a trailer driver has an average salary of $50,801, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a trailer driver include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Trailer driver vs local driver overview

Trailer DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$50,801$48,160
Hourly rate$24.42$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs795,437786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trailer driver vs local driver salary

Trailer drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Trailer DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$50,801$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Montana
Best paying company-Mid-South Management
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between trailer driver and local driver education

There are a few differences between a trailer driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:

Trailer DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Trailer driver vs local driver demographics

Here are the differences between trailer drivers' and local drivers' demographics:

Trailer DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.0% Female, 7.0%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.7% 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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between trailer driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Trailer driver vs local driver skills

Common trailer driver skills
  • CDL, 27%
  • DOT, 19%
  • OTR, 10%
  • Delivery Schedules, 7%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 6%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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