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Waste collection driver vs commercial driver

The differences between waste collection drivers and commercial 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 waste collection driver and a commercial driver. Additionally, a commercial driver has an average salary of $46,852, which is higher than the $41,251 average annual salary of a waste collection driver.

The top three skills for a waste collection driver include DOT, OSHA and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Waste collection driver vs commercial driver overview

Waste Collection DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$41,251$46,852
Hourly rate$19.83$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs616,5791,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Waste collection driver vs commercial driver salary

Waste collection drivers and commercial drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Waste Collection DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$41,251$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $53,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Laramie County Community College
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between waste collection driver and commercial driver education

There are a few differences between a waste collection driver and a commercial driver in terms of educational background:

Waste Collection DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waste collection driver vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between waste collection drivers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

Waste Collection DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.8% Female, 7.2%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 4.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between waste collection driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Waste collection driver example responsibilities.

  • Operate automated or semi-automate hoisting devices on side loader or front loader.
  • Attend annual driver improvement classes to maintain knowledge of safety and emergency procedures of transportation hazmat products.
  • Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

Commercial driver example responsibilities.

  • Haul HAZMAT with roll-off bins, tankers, flatb, dry vans and dumps.
  • Plan delivery route & schedule using maps and GPS devices.
  • Develop and maintain an efficient routing system utilizing GPS and map.
  • Operate a Volvo commercial truck and transport regional and OTR loads.
  • Train and evaluate entry-level drivers while operating as an OTR flatb driver.
  • Determine if they would benefit from coming to school and obtaining their CDL.
  • Show more

Waste collection driver vs commercial driver skills

Common waste collection driver skills
  • DOT, 25%
  • OSHA, 18%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 17%
  • Waste Management, 15%
  • Minor Maintenance, 5%
  • Hazardous Materials, 5%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

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