Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $71,770 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 124.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $169,950 for Nurse Practitioners.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$38,640$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $97,960 | $-59,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $109,940 | $-62,710 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $129,210 | $-71,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $149,570 | $-84,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $169,950 | $-91,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $132,000 | $-73,600 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
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 Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $71,770 (124.9% 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners 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 Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. 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