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Truck driver instructor vs professional truck driver

The differences between truck driver instructors 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 instructor and a professional truck driver. Additionally, a professional truck driver has an average salary of $48,577, which is higher than the $46,410 average annual salary of a truck driver instructor.

The top three skills for a truck driver instructor include OTR, DOT and safety regulations. The most important skills for a professional truck driver are CDL, safety regulations, and on-time delivery.

Truck driver instructor vs professional truck driver overview

Truck Driver InstructorProfessional Truck Driver
Yearly salary$46,410$48,577
Hourly rate$22.31$23.35
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs690,758739,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Truck driver instructor vs professional truck driver salary

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

Truck Driver InstructorProfessional Truck Driver
Average salary$46,410$48,577
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $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 truck driver instructor and professional truck driver education

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

Truck Driver InstructorProfessional Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Truck driver instructor vs professional truck driver demographics

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

Truck Driver InstructorProfessional Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 86.6% Female, 13.4%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.2% 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 instructor and professional truck driver duties and responsibilities

Truck driver instructor example responsibilities.

  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Instruct on the use of the rules of the road.
  • Work with students on range skills as well as road and classroom.
  • Transport oil safely, after testing oil.for bsw, to offloading stations
  • Test gravity and BSW of samples to ensure oil is good to load.
  • Maintain open communication via CB radio for additional instructions.

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 instructor vs professional truck driver skills

Common truck driver instructor skills
  • OTR, 32%
  • DOT, 31%
  • Safety Regulations, 9%
  • Federal Motor, 6%
  • DMV, 5%
  • Defensive Driving, 4%
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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