Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $75,640 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 131.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$38,640$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,640 | $79,850 | $-41,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,230 | $103,050 | $-55,820 |
| Median (50th) | $57,440 | $133,080 | $-75,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,520 | $169,000 | $-103,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,800 | $211,450 | $-132,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $58,400 | $144,570 | $-86,170 |
Employment Numbers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $75,640 (131.7% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers 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 Software Developers earns $133,080. 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