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The differences between yard jockeys and 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 yard jockey and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, 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 truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Yard Jockey | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $44,440 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $21.37 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 3,910 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| 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.
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Yard jockeys and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Yard Jockey | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $44,440 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $58,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albany, OR | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Fortune Brands Home & Security | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Retail |
There are a few differences between a yard jockey and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Yard Jockey | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between yard jockeys' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Yard Jockey | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |