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The differences between truck drivers and truck driver-over the roads 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-over-the-road. Additionally, a truck driver-over-the-road has an average salary of $69,158, 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-over-the-road are CDL, OTR, and PET.
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Yearly salary | $60,326 | $69,158 |
| Hourly rate | $29.00 | $33.25 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 827,858 | 689,630 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| 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.
A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.
Truck drivers and truck driver-over the roads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Average salary | $60,326 | $69,158 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $50,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Wilmington, DE | Des Moines, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | W. R. Grace & Co | Walmart |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a truck driver and a truck driver-over-the-road in terms of educational background:
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| 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 truck driver-over the roads' demographics:
| Truck Driver | Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% |
| 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, 13.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |