Cooks, Restaurant 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?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn $20,610 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 56.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$28,010$78,800
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $38,640 | $-10,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $47,230 | $-15,920 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $57,440 | $-20,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $65,520 | $-21,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $78,800 | $-31,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $58,400 | $-20,670 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,610 (56.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant 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 Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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