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The differences between truck drivers class a 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 truck driver class a and a local driver. Additionally, a truck driver class a has an average salary of $63,270, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver class a include CDL, PET and OTR. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.
| Truck Driver Class A | Local Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $63,270 | $48,160 |
| Hourly rate | $30.42 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 709,900 | 786,531 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify. Among the duties of a Truck Driver Class A will also revolve around securing and monitoring the quantity and quality of items, maintaining the vehicle in good condition, abide by the traffic rules and regulations, adhere to the company standards and policies, and have precise coordination with every workforce involved.
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.
Truck drivers class a and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver Class A | Local Driver | |
| Average salary | $63,270 | $48,160 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $92,000 | Between $33,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Montana |
| Best paying company | Walmart | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver class a and a local driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver Class A | Local Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers class a' and local drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver Class A | Local Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.5% 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 Percentage | 4% | 4% |