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Trash truck driver vs commercial truck driver

The differences between trash 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 trash truck driver and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $36,899 average annual salary of a trash truck driver.

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

Trash truck driver vs commercial truck driver overview

Trash Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Yearly salary$36,899$64,512
Hourly rate$17.74$31.02
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs939,360719,069
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trash truck driver vs commercial truck driver salary

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

Trash Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Average salary$36,899$64,512
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $47,000Between $41,000 And $100,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Tyson Foods
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between trash truck driver and commercial truck driver education

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

Trash Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Trash truck driver vs commercial truck driver demographics

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

Trash Truck DriverCommercial Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.9% 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 trash truck driver and commercial truck driver duties and responsibilities

Trash truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Complete delivery and pickup paperwork promptly and accurately, returning say paperwork to the appropriate facility personnel.
  • Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, run backhoe and do interior painting.

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

Trash truck driver vs commercial truck driver skills

Common trash truck driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • Trash Truck, 22%
  • Safety Checks, 5%
  • Disposal Site, 4%
  • Landfill, 3%
  • DOT, 2%
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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