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The differences between truck drivers and local 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 local truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $59,069 average annual salary of a local truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a local truck driver are CDL, customer service, and OTR.
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 local truck driver is an employee who drives a company truck to transport goods to and from specified locations within a designated geographic area. Local truck drivers must ensure that the transported goods are well-secured and not damaged during the transit. They must liaise with dispatch to communicate any traffic issues and delays as well as notify the management of any accidents or vehicle damage. Local truck drivers must also assist in loading and unloading of goods by using hand trucks and electric lifts as required.
Truck drivers and local truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $59,069 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $40,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Newark, DE |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Delaware |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a local truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and local truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Local Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |