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The differences between truck drivers 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 and a commercial truck driver. Additionally, a commercial truck driver has an average salary of $64,512, which is higher than the $60,326 average annual salary of a truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a commercial truck driver are CDL, good time management, and safety issues.
| Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $64,512 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $31.02 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 719,069 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
A commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
Truck drivers and commercial truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $64,512 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $41,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | New York |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a commercial truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and commercial truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Commercial Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% 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 Percentage | 4% | 4% |