Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $44,880 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 78.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$38,640$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $68,740 | $-30,100 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $81,800 | $-34,570 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $102,320 | $-44,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $130,290 | $-64,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $161,240 | $-82,440 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $110,080 | $-51,680 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $44,880 (78.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers has a median salary of $57,440 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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