Post job

Wrecker driver vs tow truck driver

The differences between wrecker 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 wrecker driver and a tow truck driver. Additionally, a tow truck driver has an average salary of $38,555, 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 tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.

Wrecker driver vs tow truck driver overview

Wrecker DriverTow Truck Driver
Yearly salary$36,820$38,555
Hourly rate$17.70$18.54
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs620,451666,918
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Wrecker driver vs tow truck driver salary

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

Wrecker DriverTow Truck Driver
Average salary$36,820$38,555
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $52,000Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-Auburn, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-City of Detroit
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between wrecker driver and tow truck driver education

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

Wrecker DriverTow Truck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Wrecker driver vs tow truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between wrecker drivers' and tow truck drivers' demographics:

Wrecker DriverTow Truck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between wrecker driver and tow truck 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

Tow truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Operate tow truck and equipment (dollies, go jacks).
  • Drive rollback tow truck, load and unload cars, secure cars on truck bed, operate hydraulic, maintain truck
  • Right eye injury and ineligibility for CDL )
  • Job require current CDL with clean driving record.
  • Maintain contracts with several companies as well as CHP work.
  • Show more

Wrecker driver vs tow truck driver skills

Common wrecker driver skills
  • Tow Vehicles, 25%
  • Customer Vehicles, 13%
  • Rollback, 9%
  • Tow Truck, 8%
  • Service Stations, 6%
  • Lockout, 4%
Common tow truck driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 22%
  • CDL, 17%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Loaders, 10%
  • AAA, 8%
  • Fuel Delivery, 5%

Browse transportation jobs