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The differences between truck drivers and police officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $52,638 average annual salary of a police officer.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a police officer are patrol, public safety, and law enforcement agencies.
| Truck Driver | Police Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $52,638 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $25.31 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 116,287 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 2 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 48 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 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.
Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.
Truck drivers and police officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Police Officer | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $52,638 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $38,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Alaska |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Icma-rc |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Government |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a police officer in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Police Officer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | Pennsylvania State University |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and police officers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Police Officer | |
| Average age | 48 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% |
| 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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 7% |