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Truck driver helper vs professional truck driver

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

Truck driver helper vs professional truck driver overview

Truck Driver HelperProfessional Truck Driver
Yearly salary$32,483$48,577
Hourly rate$15.62$23.35
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs836,561739,437
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Truck driver helper vs professional truck driver salary

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

Truck Driver HelperProfessional Truck Driver
Average salary$32,483$48,577
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $46,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityBensalem, PABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkRhode Island
Best paying companyWaste ConnectionsWellpath
Best paying industryRetailTransportation

Differences between truck driver helper and professional truck driver education

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

Truck Driver HelperProfessional Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Truck driver helper vs professional truck driver demographics

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

Truck Driver HelperProfessional Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.8% Female, 7.2%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
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, 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 truck driver helper and professional 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

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

Truck driver helper vs professional 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 professional truck driver skills
  • CDL, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 15%
  • On-Time Delivery, 10%
  • OTR, 7%
  • Vehicle Service, 6%
  • Semi, 5%

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