Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $36,160 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 63.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$38,640$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $66,030 | $-27,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $78,610 | $-31,380 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $93,600 | $-36,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $107,960 | $-42,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $135,320 | $-56,520 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $98,430 | $-40,030 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,160 (63.0% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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