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The differences between truck drivers and truck drivers class a 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 truck driver class a. Additionally, a truck driver class a has an average salary of $63,270, 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 truck driver class a are CDL, PET, and OTR.
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $63,270 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $30.42 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 709,900 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify. Among the duties of a Truck Driver Class A will also revolve around securing and monitoring the quantity and quality of items, maintaining the vehicle in good condition, abide by the traffic rules and regulations, adhere to the company standards and policies, and have precise coordination with every workforce involved.
Truck drivers and truck drivers class a have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $63,270 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $43,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a truck driver class a in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck drivers' and truck drivers class a' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver Class A | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |