Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Pharmacy Technicians: 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 $13,980 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 32.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$78,800
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $35,100 | +$3,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $36,920 | +$10,310 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $43,460 | +$13,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $48,580 | +$16,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $59,450 | +$19,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $44,800 | +$13,600 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,980 (32.2% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians 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 Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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