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The differences between truck drivers and tow 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 tow truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.
The top three skills for a truck driver include CDL, OTR and DOT. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.
| Truck Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $38,555 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $18.54 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 666,918 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| 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.
Typically working upon the directives of dispatchers, a tow truck driver is in charge of driving to areas where a vehicle accident or breakdown took place, connecting the vehicle to the tow truck, and transporting them to repair stations or particular places. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to identify their needs, answering inquiries, providing assistance by performing minor repairs, changing tires or jump-starting cars, and recommending solutions when necessary. Furthermore, as a tow truck driver, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on towing trucks for a safe and efficient service.
Truck drivers and tow truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $38,555 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Auburn, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a tow truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and tow truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |