Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $43,700 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 76.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$38,640$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $70,000 | $-31,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $81,910 | $-34,680 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $101,140 | $-43,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $127,480 | $-61,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $157,140 | $-78,340 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $107,900 | $-49,500 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,700 (76.1% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers 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 Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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