Post job

Trash truck driver vs professional truck driver

The differences between trash truck drivers and professional 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 professional truck driver. Additionally, a professional truck driver has an average salary of $48,577, 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 professional truck driver are CDL, safety regulations, and on-time delivery.

Trash truck driver vs professional truck driver overview

Trash Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Yearly salary$36,899$48,577
Hourly rate$17.74$23.35
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs939,360739,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Trash truck driver vs professional truck driver salary

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

Trash Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average salary$36,899$48,577
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $47,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-Wellpath
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between trash truck driver and professional truck driver education

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

Trash Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Trash truck driver vs professional truck driver demographics

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

Trash Truck DriverProfessional Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
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, 14.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trash truck driver and professional 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.

Professional truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Maintain current commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Perform equipment inspections, load and unload liquid HazMat.
  • Select as OTR driver certify in tanker, double and triple.
  • Diversify freight transportation OTR, as well as business and home delivery.
  • Train students and company employees in professional truck driving leading to student acquiring CDL.
  • Truck driving/safety checks on all equipment and cargo/The on time pickup and delivery of cargo
  • Show more

Trash truck driver vs professional truck driver skills

Common trash truck driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • Trash Truck, 22%
  • Safety Checks, 5%
  • Disposal Site, 4%
  • Landfill, 3%
  • DOT, 2%
Common professional truck driver skills
  • CDL, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 15%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • OTR, 7%
  • Vehicle Service, 6%
  • Semi, 5%

Browse transportation jobs