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The differences between truck drivers and pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a truck driver, becoming a pilot takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a pilot has an average salary of $83,128, 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 pilot are PIC, pilot-in-command, and flight operations.
| Truck Driver | Pilot | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $83,128 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $39.97 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 3,049 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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 pilot is an individual who works in the aviation industry to operate aircraft and transport passengers and cargos from one location to another. Pilots can fly and navigate different types of aircrafts such as helicopters, large commercial aircraft, or cargo planes. They must perform pre-flight inspections and check flight logs to secure safety for all crews and passengers who are on board. Pilots can also decide to work as flight instructors or establish an aviation school when they have gained enough experience in the aviation industry.
Truck drivers and pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Pilot | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $83,128 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $58,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | HP |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a pilot in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Pilot | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Aviation |
| Most common college | - | SUNY Farmingdale |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and pilots' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Pilot | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 70.7% Female, 29.3% |
| 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, 2.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 9% |