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Waste collection driver vs over the road driver

The differences between waste collection drivers and over the road 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 an over the road driver. Additionally, an over the road driver has an average salary of $62,119, 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 an over the road driver are CDL, PET, and post-trip inspections.

Waste collection driver vs over the road driver overview

Waste Collection DriverOver The Road Driver
Yearly salary$41,251$62,119
Hourly rate$19.83$29.86
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs616,579711,143
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Waste collection driver vs over the road driver salary

Waste collection drivers and over the road drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Waste Collection DriverOver The Road Driver
Average salary$41,251$62,119
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $53,000Between $43,000 And $88,000
Highest paying City-Camden, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Walmart
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between waste collection driver and over the road driver education

There are a few differences between a waste collection driver and an over the road driver in terms of educational background:

Waste Collection DriverOver The Road Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Waste collection driver vs over the road driver demographics

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

Waste Collection DriverOver The Road Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.8% Female, 7.2%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between waste collection driver and over the road 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

Over the road driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Work OTR reefer unit with assign trainer after CDL are obtained.
  • Comply with all FMCSA rules and regulations to maintain CDL-A status.
  • Train CDL driver responsible for OTR pick up and delivery of goods.
  • Transport domestic freight from customer to customer, and employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
  • Action resources is a HAZMAT company that have drivers locally and over the road.
  • Show more

Waste collection driver vs over the road 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 over the road driver skills
  • CDL, 34%
  • PET, 8%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 7%
  • Hazmat, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Federal Regulations, 4%

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