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Trailer truck driver vs van driver

The differences between trailer truck drivers and van 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 van driver. Additionally, a trailer truck driver has an average salary of $57,200, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.

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

Trailer truck driver vs van driver overview

Trailer Truck DriverVan Driver
Yearly salary$57,200$36,254
Hourly rate$27.50$17.43
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,458791,293
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trailer truck driver vs van driver salary

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

Trailer Truck DriverVan Driver
Average salary$57,200$36,254
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $87,000Between $24,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityNew Brunswick, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyAlaska
Best paying companyCopartDVFSchool
Best paying industryAutomotiveTransportation

Differences between trailer truck driver and van driver education

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

Trailer Truck DriverVan Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Trailer truck driver vs van driver demographics

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

Trailer Truck DriverVan Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trailer truck driver and van 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

Van driver example responsibilities.

  • Perform basic math sufficient to process axle weights at shipping docks.
  • Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures including CPR.
  • Plot route pickup and drop off points.
  • Have taken additional training in HAZMAT and international audit procedures.
  • Specialize in teaching reading, writing, and math skills.
  • Obtain knowledge of CDL laws and statues in accordance with the D.O.T
  • Show more

Trailer truck driver vs van driver skills

Common trailer truck driver skills
  • CDL, 55%
  • Commodities, 16%
  • DOT, 7%
  • OTR, 5%
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination, 2%
  • Asphalt, 1%
Common van driver skills
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • OTR, 9%
  • Mechanical Problems, 9%
  • GPS, 7%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 6%

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