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Trailer truck driver vs diesel truck driver

The differences between trailer truck drivers and diesel 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 diesel truck driver. Additionally, a trailer truck driver has an average salary of $57,200, which is higher than the $43,702 average annual salary of a diesel truck driver.

The top three skills for a trailer truck driver include CDL, commodities and DOT. The most important skills for a diesel truck driver are CDL, cranes, and OTR.

Trailer truck driver vs diesel truck driver overview

Trailer Truck DriverDiesel Truck Driver
Yearly salary$57,200$43,702
Hourly rate$27.50$21.01
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,458684,748
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trailer truck driver vs diesel truck driver salary

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

Trailer Truck DriverDiesel Truck Driver
Average salary$57,200$43,702
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $87,000Between $32,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityNew Brunswick, NJ-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyCopart-
Best paying industryAutomotive-

Differences between trailer truck driver and diesel truck driver education

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

Trailer Truck DriverDiesel Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Trailer truck driver vs diesel truck driver demographics

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

Trailer Truck DriverDiesel Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 99.6% Female, 0.4%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trailer truck driver and diesel 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

Diesel truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Complete delivery and pickup paperwork promptly and accurately, returning say paperwork to the appropriate facility personnel.
  • Keep track of logs, miles, and bol's.

Trailer truck driver vs diesel truck driver skills

Common trailer truck driver skills
  • CDL, 55%
  • Commodities, 16%
  • DOT, 7%
  • OTR, 5%
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination, 2%
  • Asphalt, 1%
Common diesel truck driver skills
  • CDL, 19%
  • Cranes, 15%
  • OTR, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • Hoists, 8%
  • DOT, 7%

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