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The differences between truck drivers and fuel 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 fuel truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $56,767 average annual salary of a fuel truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a fuel truck driver are CDL, hazmat, and DOT.
| Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $56,767 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $27.29 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 876,579 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| 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 Fuel Truck Driver transports fuel and other petroleum products from one place to another, ensuring safety and timeliness. Their responsibilities include measuring and calculating fuel deliveries, maintaining records, handling documentation, liaising with clients, preparing progress reports, and overseeing the loading and unloading procedures, ensuring adherence to the company's safety standards and regulations. A Fuel Truck Driver must conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Truck drivers and fuel truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $56,767 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $38,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | - |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | - |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | - |
| Best paying industry | Retail | - |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a fuel truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and fuel truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Fuel Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 3.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |