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The differences between yard jockeys and professional 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 professional driver. Additionally, a professional driver has an average salary of $49,556, 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 professional driver are safety regulations, vehicle inspections, and CDL.
| Yard Jockey | Professional Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $44,440 | $49,556 |
| Hourly rate | $21.37 | $23.82 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 3,910 | 1,043,986 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 27% |
| 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.
A professional driver is responsible for offering driving services as a way of living. Professional drivers are often employed by a company or private household, transporting the employees and clients from one location to another with the utmost safety and comfortability. To be a professional driver, one must have a valid professional driver's license, as well as a clean driving record for efficient job completion. A professional driver should also have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on inspecting the vehicle's engine and conducting repairs as needed to avoid any delays in services.
Yard jockeys and professional drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Yard Jockey | Professional Driver | |
| Average salary | $44,440 | $49,556 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $58,000 | Between $33,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albany, OR | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | Fortune Brands Home & Security | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a yard jockey and a professional driver in terms of educational background:
| Yard Jockey | Professional Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 27% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between yard jockeys' and professional drivers' demographics:
| Yard Jockey | Professional Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 79.2% Female, 20.8% |
| 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |