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Truck driver instructor vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between truck driver instructors and tractor-trailer 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 tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, 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 tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Truck driver instructor vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Truck Driver InstructorTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$46,410$58,498
Hourly rate$22.31$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs690,758690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Truck driver instructor vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Truck driver instructors and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Truck Driver InstructorTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$46,410$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Atlanta, GA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Exel Inc.
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between truck driver instructor and tractor-trailer driver education

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

Truck Driver InstructorTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Truck driver instructor vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between truck driver instructors' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Truck Driver InstructorTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 86.6% Female, 13.4%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between truck driver instructor and tractor-trailer 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.

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Truck driver instructor vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common truck driver instructor skills
  • OTR, 32%
  • DOT, 31%
  • Safety Regulations, 9%
  • Federal Motor, 6%
  • DMV, 5%
  • Defensive Driving, 4%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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