Dental Assistants 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 $10,140 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 21.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
$36,190$78,800
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $38,640 | $-2,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $47,230 | $-7,710 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $57,440 | $-10,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $65,520 | $-8,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $78,800 | $-17,020 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $58,400 | $-9,540 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Dental Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,270 |
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: Dental Assistants or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,140 (21.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants salaries range from $36,190 (10th percentile) to $61,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,300.
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 Dental Assistants and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants 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 Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 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