SalaryByCity

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

$57,440

Median annual salary

2,070,480 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $45,170 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 78.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers earns $78,800 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$38,640 – $78,800
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$38,640$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$38,640$60,690$-22,050
25th Percentile$47,230$79,520$-32,290
Median (50th)$57,440$102,610$-45,170
75th Percentile$65,520$131,870$-66,350
90th Percentile$78,800$166,960$-88,160
Mean (Average)$58,400$110,260$-51,860

Employment Numbers

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

2,070,480

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$65,220

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $45,170 (78.6% 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,070,480 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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