SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

$57,440

Median annual salary

2,070,480 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn $7,770 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 15.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$33,660$80,850

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$38,640$-4,980
25th Percentile$38,140$47,230$-9,090
Median (50th)$49,670$57,440$-7,770
75th Percentile$65,660$65,520+$140
90th Percentile$80,850$78,800+$2,050
Mean (Average)$55,260$58,400$-3,140

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

2,070,480

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$65,220

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,770 (15.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 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