Civil Engineers vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $42,150 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 73.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$38,640$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $38,640 | +$27,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $47,230 | +$31,560 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $57,440 | +$42,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $65,520 | +$62,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $78,800 | +$82,190 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $58,400 | +$48,650 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,150 (73.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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