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The differences between truck operators and dump 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 operator and a dump truck driver. Additionally, a dump truck driver has an average salary of $55,857, which is higher than the $39,608 average annual salary of a truck operator.
The top three skills for a truck operator include CDL, industrial cleaning and customer service. The most important skills for a dump truck driver are CDL, asphalt, and DOT.
| Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $39,608 | $55,857 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $26.85 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 667,980 | 702,361 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Truck Operators are individuals making a living by driving trucks and heavy goods vehicles such as articulated trucks, semi-trailers, and tankers. They are responsible for administering goods, loading and unloading into the truck, assessing the goods conditions, scheduling transport operations, arranging transport documentations, and inspecting vehicle conditions before starting work. Other duties include checking tires, fuel, oil filters, and oil levels. Truck Operators also supervise delivery operations, vehicle cleaning, tire maintenance, and refueling.
A dump truck driver is responsible for transporting construction materials, such as rocks, sands, woods, heavy equipment, garbage collection, and junk supplies from one place to the assigned destination. Dump truck drivers must have excellent mechanical skills to inspect the vehicle before and after operations to prevent delays and possible engine failures, especially on working during different weather conditions. They should also have clean driving records, following the road's safety regulations at all times, ensuring the efficiency of deliveries within the agreed time.
Truck operators and dump truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $39,608 | $55,857 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $43,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Ponca City, OK |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Mars | North Central Group |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a truck operator and a dump truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck operators' and dump truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Operator | Dump Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |