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Wrecker driver vs commercial driver

The differences between wrecker 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 wrecker driver and a commercial driver. Additionally, a commercial driver has an average salary of $46,852, which is higher than the $36,820 average annual salary of a wrecker driver.

The top three skills for a wrecker driver include tow vehicles, customer vehicles and rollback. The most important skills for a commercial driver are customer service, CDL, and ladders.

Wrecker driver vs commercial driver overview

Wrecker DriverCommercial Driver
Yearly salary$36,820$46,852
Hourly rate$17.70$22.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs620,4511,016,123
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Wrecker driver vs commercial driver salary

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

Wrecker DriverCommercial Driver
Average salary$36,820$46,852
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $52,000Between $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 wrecker driver and commercial driver education

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

Wrecker DriverCommercial Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Wrecker driver vs commercial driver demographics

Here are the differences between wrecker drivers' and commercial drivers' demographics:

Wrecker DriverCommercial Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.1% 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 wrecker driver and commercial driver duties and responsibilities

Wrecker driver example responsibilities.

  • Operate rollback auto wrecker to move damage by accident, stall or tick by police for traffic violations.
  • Tow vehicles from accident scenes, trespasses, and repair calls for AAA, dispatch drivers to appropriate calls.
  • Tow and or repair semi truck and trailers break down along Rt.80 in the Logington pa and surrounding area.
  • Provide AAA roadside assistance and tows.respond to city impounds and wrecks.salvage car transportation
  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • 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

Wrecker driver vs commercial driver skills

Common wrecker driver skills
  • Tow Vehicles, 25%
  • Customer Vehicles, 13%
  • Rollback, 9%
  • Tow Truck, 8%
  • Service Stations, 6%
  • Lockout, 4%
Common commercial driver skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • CDL, 12%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Customer Orders, 9%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%

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