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The differences between truck drivers and dump 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 dump truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $55,857 average annual salary of a dump truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a dump truck driver are CDL, asphalt, and DOT.
| Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $55,857 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $26.85 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 702,361 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| 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 dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.
Truck drivers and dump truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $55,857 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $43,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Ponca City, OK |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | North Central Group |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a dump truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and dump truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |