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Trailer truck driver vs commercial truck driver

The differences between trailer truck drivers and commercial 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 truck driver and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $57,200 average annual salary of a trailer truck driver.

The top three skills for a trailer truck driver include CDL, commodities and DOT. The most important skills for a commercial truck driver are CDL, good time management, and safety issues.

Trailer truck driver vs commercial truck driver overview

Trailer Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Yearly salary$57,200$64,512
Hourly rate$27.50$31.02
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,458719,069
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trailer truck driver vs commercial truck driver salary

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

Trailer Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Average salary$57,200$64,512
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $87,000Between $41,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CityNew Brunswick, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyCopartTyson Foods
Best paying industryAutomotiveTransportation

Differences between trailer truck driver and commercial truck driver education

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

Trailer Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Trailer truck driver vs commercial truck driver demographics

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

Trailer Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trailer truck driver and commercial truck driver duties and responsibilities

Trailer truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Used GPS and/or maps to familiarize routes effectively.
  • Pick up and deliver brewery items to distributorwork local routes as well as otr routesdrove deliveries to las vegas and beyond
  • Report to dispatch receive orders of the day or night complete tank-trailer inspection maintain OTR paper logs records and tanks service
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Look after the maintenance of general commodities such as steel, pipes, and associate LTL loads.
  • Show more

Commercial truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Operate a forklift following OSHA safety regulations and maintenance standards.
  • Work OTR for duration of lease.
  • Complete nationwide OTR training including all terrains and climates.
  • Train and mentore new CDL certify students from the company.
  • Attend licensing to learn about new laws and Hazmat industry procedures.
  • Maintain commercial driver's license (CDL) without incident or accident.
  • Show more

Trailer truck driver vs commercial truck driver skills

Common trailer truck driver skills
  • CDL, 55%
  • Commodities, 16%
  • DOT, 7%
  • OTR, 5%
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination, 2%
  • Asphalt, 1%
Common commercial truck driver skills
  • CDL, 30%
  • Good Time Management, 9%
  • Safety Issues, 9%
  • Safety Equipment, 8%
  • Federal Regulations, 7%
  • OTR, 5%

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