Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $3,570 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 6.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$38,640$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $39,710 | $-1,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $48,190 | $-960 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $61,010 | $-3,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $78,280 | $-12,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $98,990 | $-20,190 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $66,510 | $-8,110 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,570 (6.2% 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. 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