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Trailer driver vs local truck driver

The differences between trailer drivers and local truck 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 truck driver. Additionally, a local truck driver has an average salary of $59,069, which is higher than the $50,801 average annual salary of a trailer driver.

The top three skills for a trailer driver include CDL, DOT and OTR. The most important skills for a local truck driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.

Trailer driver vs local truck driver overview

Trailer DriverLocal Truck Driver
Yearly salary$50,801$59,069
Hourly rate$24.42$28.40
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs795,437709,260
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trailer driver vs local truck driver salary

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

Trailer DriverLocal Truck Driver
Average salary$50,801$59,069
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $40,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City-Newark, DE
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-Walmart
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between trailer driver and local truck driver education

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

Trailer DriverLocal Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Trailer driver vs local truck driver demographics

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

Trailer DriverLocal Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.0% Female, 7.0%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trailer driver and local truck 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 truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Train driver in safety regulations and teach HAZMAT classes.
  • Stay compliant with FMCSA, TSA and FAA
  • Work local and OTR deliveries.
  • cross dock worker local ltl driver
  • Navigate route using maps and GPS.
  • Obtain CDL and deliver products to local stores
  • Show more

Trailer driver vs local truck driver skills

Common trailer driver skills
  • CDL, 27%
  • DOT, 19%
  • OTR, 10%
  • Delivery Schedules, 7%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 6%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
Common local truck driver skills
  • CDL, 52%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • OTR, 9%
  • Hazmat, 6%
  • PET, 4%
  • Pallet Jack, 3%

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