Electrical Engineers 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?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $54,470 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 94.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$38,640$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $38,640 | +$36,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $47,230 | +$40,360 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $57,440 | +$54,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $65,520 | +$76,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $78,800 | +$96,660 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $58,400 | +$62,580 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,470 (94.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers 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 Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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