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The differences between truck drivers and line haul 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 line haul driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $53,992 average annual salary of a line haul driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a line haul driver are CDL, hazmat, and safety regulations.
| Truck Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $53,992 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $25.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 871,646 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| 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 line haul truck driver is in charge of transporting heavy materials using large vehicles such as tractor-trailers, ensuring timeliness and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically revolve around securing documents or invoices, adhering to specific routes, driving for long durations, liaising and building positive relationships with companies, and ensuring the safety and quality of all cargo. Furthermore, as a line haul truck driver, it is essential to abide by all the traffic laws and perform regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Truck drivers and line haul drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $53,992 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $37,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Fargo, ND |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a line haul driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and line haul drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Line Haul Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2% |
| 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, 12.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |