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Transport truck driver vs local driver

The differences between transport truck 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 transport truck driver and a local driver. Additionally, a transport truck driver has an average salary of $57,936, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a transport truck driver include CDL, traffic violations and customer service. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Transport truck driver vs local driver overview

Transport Truck DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$57,936$48,160
Hourly rate$27.85$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs699,001786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a transport truck driver do?

A transport truck driver is in charge of managing and transporting goods from one place to another, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities typically revolve around loading and unloading packages, managing and handling documents, liaising with clients, and performing inspections to ensure the quality of goods. Furthermore, like a transport truck driver, it is essential to perform regular vehicle maintenance checks and abide by the traffic laws to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

What does a local driver do?

A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.

Transport truck driver vs local driver salary

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

Transport Truck DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$57,936$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $86,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityFramingham, MASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMontana
Best paying companyWalmartMid-South Management
Best paying industryEnergyTransportation

Differences between transport truck driver and local driver education

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

Transport Truck DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Transport truck driver vs local driver demographics

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

Transport Truck DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.1% Female, 9.9%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.0% 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 transport truck driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Transport truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Certify CDL with all endorsements.
  • Deliver loads in tractor/trailer OTR in timely manner.
  • Prompt delivery of materials using GPS navigation software
  • Follow GPS directives and maintain in constant communication with dispatch when necessary.
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Show more

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

Transport truck driver vs local driver skills

Common transport truck driver skills
  • CDL, 54%
  • Traffic Violations, 22%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Customer Locations, 6%
  • Emergency Equipment, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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