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Truck driver helper vs commercial truck driver

The differences between truck driver helpers 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 truck driver helper and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $32,483 average annual salary of a truck driver helper.

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

Truck driver helper vs commercial truck driver overview

Truck Driver HelperCommercial Truck Driver
Yearly salary$32,483$64,512
Hourly rate$15.62$31.02
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs836,561719,069
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 35%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Truck driver helper vs commercial truck driver salary

Truck driver helpers and commercial truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Truck Driver HelperCommercial Truck Driver
Average salary$32,483$64,512
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $46,000Between $41,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CityBensalem, PANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyWaste ConnectionsTyson Foods
Best paying industryRetailTransportation

Differences between truck driver helper and commercial truck driver education

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

Truck Driver HelperCommercial Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Truck driver helper vs commercial truck driver demographics

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

Truck Driver HelperCommercial Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.8% Female, 7.2%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 24.0% Asian, 3.4% White, 53.9% 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 truck driver helper and commercial truck driver duties and responsibilities

Truck driver helper example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Follow GPS directives and maintain in constant communication with dispatch when necessary.
  • Sort packages by region, deliver packages to customers, handle cash-on-delivery payments, process business pickups, utilize DIAD board technology

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

Truck driver helper vs commercial truck driver skills

Common truck driver helper skills
  • Safety Policies, 25%
  • CDL, 20%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
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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