Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn $13,240 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 30.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$78,800
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $35,020 | +$3,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $37,610 | +$9,620 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $44,200 | +$13,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $48,160 | +$17,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $57,830 | +$20,970 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $44,720 | +$13,680 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Medical Assistants?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,240 (30.0% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants 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 Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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