Being a correctional officer (C.O) and being a truck driver are two different jobs, and not only is there salary differential, but the working conditions and grooming standards are in contrast. Speaking from experience being a C.O is more stressful and demanding.
For instance, a C.O. is on a fixed salary, which is paid to him once a month. On the other hand, a trucker driver works only by mileage thus the longer he drives, the more money he makes. For instance a C.O. with lots of experience only makes $25,000 a year compared to a truck driver, who can make up to $70,000 a year easily. Also trucker drives receive bonuses and other extra stuff.
Although both jobs are stressful, being a C.O. is without a dough more stressful and dangerous. For instance, a C.O. faces daily life-threatening situations, such as by just walking inside around in the work place he has to worry about at all time if an inmate will stab him with a homemade knife or hit him behind his back while he is looking away. In contrast, a truck driver never fears someone stabbing him or hitting him with objects behind his back while he is driving. Also a C.O. faces constant supervision unlike a truck driver who is basically boss to himself most of the times and can take breaks whenever he desires.
As far as grooming standards are concerned a C.O. has to be very neat clean-cut person daily. Everyday shoes have to be highly polished with high shine, and the clothes of course have to be very well ironed with creases and lots of starch. Unlike C.O. truck driver can basically look or wear whatever he wants daily. For example, a truck driver can have long hair, long beard, and can also wear shorts if desire to.
In conclusion, a C.O. works harder than a truck driver does, even though C.O. earns less money. Also a C.O. faces much more danger than a truck driver while at work. I found being a truck driver to be the easier of the two jobs, so if I had to choose one it would definitely be a truck driver.
