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The differences between van 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 van driver and a tow truck driver. Additionally, a tow truck driver has an average salary of $38,555, which is higher than the $36,254 average annual salary of a van driver.
The top three skills for a van driver include CDL, customer service and OTR. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.
| Van Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $36,254 | $38,555 |
| Hourly rate | $17.43 | $18.54 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 791,293 | 666,918 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
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.
Van drivers and tow truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Van Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $36,254 | $38,555 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $52,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Auburn, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | DVFSchool | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a van driver and a tow truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Van Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between van drivers' and tow truck drivers' demographics:
| Van Driver | Tow Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% 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% |