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The differences between truck operators and 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 truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $39,608 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 667,980 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
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.
Truck operators and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $39,608 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Mars | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Retail |
There are a few differences between a truck operator and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between truck operators' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Truck Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |