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The differences between yard jockeys and operators and truck driver 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 an operator and truck driver. Additionally, an operator and truck driver has an average salary of $250,847, 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 an operator and truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Yard Jockey | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $44,440 | $250,847 |
| Hourly rate | $21.37 | $120.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 3,910 | 483,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
An operator and truck driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of goods and services within a particular area. One must have the skills and credentials, such as a license for driving large vehicles, and stamina for the long drives. Aside from this, they must also abide by the traffic rules and regulations at all times, even conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition. Furthermore, an operator and truck driver must coordinate with clients and other workers to ensure that all deliveries are accurate and timely.
Yard jockeys and operators and truck driver have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Yard Jockey | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $44,440 | $250,847 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $58,000 | Between $126,000 And $497,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albany, OR | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Fortune Brands Home & Security | York |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a yard jockey and an operator and truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Yard Jockey | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between yard jockeys' and operators and truck driver' demographics:
| Yard Jockey | Operator And Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 11.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 3.9% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |