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Yard jockey vs company driver

The differences between yard jockeys and company 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 yard jockey and a company driver. Additionally, a company driver has an average salary of $65,430, which is higher than the $44,440 average annual salary of a yard jockey.

The top three skills for a yard jockey include CDL, tractor trailer and work ethic. The most important skills for a company driver are CDL, OTR, and PET.

Yard jockey vs company driver overview

Yard JockeyCompany Driver
Yearly salary$44,440$65,430
Hourly rate$21.37$31.46
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs3,910708,157
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a yard jockey do?

A yard jockey is responsible for identifying reliable and efficient equipment to support a warehouse or distribution center's daily operations, especially on manufacturing processes and delivery tasks. Yard jockeys negotiate with transportation and equipment suppliers with minimal costs but high-quality performance. They also assist in moving equipment, loading and unloading merchandise, and scheduling regular maintenance for vehicles and machinery. A yard jockey must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multitask to perform duties within the fast-paced environment under minimal supervision.

What does a company driver do?

A company driver helps an organization with all transport-related duties and ensures that these are carried out on time. Company drivers transport and deliver goods, equipment, products, and staff members to locations required by the organization. They maintain the cleanliness of their vehicles and are responsible for informing the organization about repairs and maintenance. Company drivers must also obtain the appropriate licenses and should have clean driving records with no accidents and traffic violations.

Yard jockey vs company driver salary

Yard jockeys and company drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Yard JockeyCompany Driver
Average salary$44,440$65,430
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $58,000Between $45,000 And $93,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, ORNew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNorth Dakota
Best paying companyFortune Brands Home & SecurityAir Products
Best paying industryTransportationManufacturing

Differences between yard jockey and company driver education

There are a few differences between a yard jockey and a company driver in terms of educational background:

Yard JockeyCompany Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Yard jockey vs company driver demographics

Here are the differences between yard jockeys' and company drivers' demographics:

Yard JockeyCompany Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 92.2% Female, 7.8%Male, 90.5% Female, 9.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.5% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between yard jockey and company driver duties and responsibilities

Yard jockey example responsibilities.

  • Assemble tire orders for loaders.
  • Used RF gun to scan merchandise.
  • Monitor crane operators and remove IBC from freights.
  • Train new hires and new cdl holders on the road operation.
  • Pick up and delivery of freight of all kinds including hazmat.
  • Train new hires and new cdl holders on company policies and procedures.
  • Show more

Company driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Ensure the safe transportation of HAZMAT shipments.
  • Load and unload trailers with propane fork lift.
  • Move, position, connect and disconnect converter dollies.
  • Work as a certify CDL instructor and trainer for new drivers.
  • Team driver on a dedicate LTL account hauling double trailer configurations.
  • Show more

Yard jockey vs company driver skills

Common yard jockey skills
  • CDL, 30%
  • Tractor Trailer, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • Dock Doors, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pallets, 5%
Common company driver skills
  • CDL, 51%
  • OTR, 26%
  • PET, 8%
  • Hazmat, 4%
  • Customer Locations, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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