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Water truck driver vs local driver

The differences between water truck drivers and local 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 water truck driver and a local driver. Additionally, a water truck driver has an average salary of $50,440, which is higher than the $48,160 average annual salary of a local driver.

The top three skills for a water truck driver include CDL, asphalt and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Water truck driver vs local driver overview

Water Truck DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$50,440$48,160
Hourly rate$24.25$23.15
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs860,835786,531
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a water truck driver do?

Water truck drivers are professional drivers who are required to drive trucks to transport water for construction projects, oil rigs, and crews working in remote sites. These drivers must demonstrate their ability by driving their trucks in unpredictable weather conditions and navigating in heavy traffics. They must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections while performing preventive maintenance on their trucks to ensure safety while driving. Water truck drivers must also check all load documents to ensure that they are accurate and received the required signatures for pickup and delivery.

What does a local driver do?

A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.

Water truck driver vs local driver salary

Water truck drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Water Truck DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$50,440$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaMontana
Best paying companyMBI Energy ServicesMid-South Management
Best paying industryTransportationTransportation

Differences between water truck driver and local driver education

There are a few differences between a water truck driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:

Water Truck DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Water truck driver vs local driver demographics

Here are the differences between water truck drivers' and local drivers' demographics:

Water Truck DriverLocal Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 89.4% Female, 10.6%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 3.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between water truck driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Water truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CDL by driving from fresh water pits, drilling rigs, frac jobs, mud farms to service clients.
  • Guide dump trucks while being fill with milling from asphalt.
  • Drive and operate water truck by watering soil cement foundation base and for asphalt.
  • Load oil .transport products using dot regulations.unload products at designate facilities.
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Keep track of logs, miles, and bol's.

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Water truck driver vs local driver skills

Common water truck driver skills
  • CDL, 31%
  • Asphalt, 12%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 5%
  • DOT Regulations, 5%
  • Construction Sites, 4%
  • Hand Tools, 4%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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