Data Scientists vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $55,150 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 96.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$38,640$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $38,640 | +$25,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $47,230 | +$35,400 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $57,440 | +$55,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $65,520 | +$90,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $78,800 | +$115,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $58,400 | +$66,190 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,150 (96.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries range from $38,640 (10th percentile) to $78,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $57,440.
How many Data Scientists and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $57,440. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS