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Truck driver helper vs local driver

The differences between truck driver helpers 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 helper and a local driver. Additionally, a local driver has an average salary of $48,160, 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 local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Truck driver helper vs local driver overview

Truck Driver HelperLocal Driver
Yearly salary$32,483$48,160
Hourly rate$15.62$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs836,561786,531
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Truck driver helper vs local driver salary

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

Truck Driver HelperLocal Driver
Average salary$32,483$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $46,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityBensalem, PASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMontana
Best paying companyWaste ConnectionsMid-South Management
Best paying industryRetailTransportation

Differences between truck driver helper and local driver education

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

Truck Driver HelperLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Truck driver helper vs local driver demographics

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

Truck Driver HelperLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.8% Female, 7.2%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between truck driver helper and local 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

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Truck driver helper vs local driver skills

Common truck driver helper skills
  • Safety Policies, 25%
  • CDL, 20%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Safety Regulations, 7%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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