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The differences between transportation drivers and driver trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a transportation driver and a driver trainer. Additionally, a driver trainer has an average salary of $46,074, which is higher than the $43,236 average annual salary of a transportation driver.
The top three skills for a transportation driver include CDL, DOT and tractor trailer. The most important skills for a driver trainer are CDL, dexterity, and training programs.
| Transportation Driver | Driver Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $43,236 | $46,074 |
| Hourly rate | $20.79 | $22.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 1,006,562 | 844,436 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 31% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A transportation driver is responsible for transporting people and goods from one place to another. A transportation driver must have a clean driving record to operate vehicles carefully and efficiently. Transportation drivers must ensure that the passengers are safe and comfortable during the trip and that goods are in proper condition to avoid damage and defects. They should strictly adhere to the transport schedules and assigned routes to avoid delays of operations. A transportation driver should also understand maintenance basics of vehicles to perform repair and reconditioning of any engine malfunction.
Driver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients. They teach their clients the basics of handling a car, the different actions one takes while driving, and the meaning of different street signs. They guide their clients during driving lessons and provide feedback so that their clients can improve. At times, driver trainers also handle driving tests and would rate the clients on their driving skills.
Transportation drivers and driver trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Transportation Driver | Driver Trainer | |
| Average salary | $43,236 | $46,074 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $70,000 | Between $30,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Oregon |
| Best paying company | West Tennessee Healthcare | J. J. Keller & Associates |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a transportation driver and a driver trainer in terms of educational background:
| Transportation Driver | Driver Trainer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between transportation drivers' and driver trainers' demographics:
| Transportation Driver | Driver Trainer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |