Median salary: $50K (Truck Driver) vs $60K (Electrician). Salary ranges overlap between 35K–75K and 40K–90K. The take-home difference depends on state taxes, cost of living, and where in the salary range you fall.
At the national median, Truck Drivers earn $50K and Electricians earn $60K. After federal taxes and FICA (calculated without state tax to isolate the salary effect), Truck Drivers take home $42,355 vs $50,390 for Electricians.
The $10K salary advantage for Electricians doesn’t translate dollar-for-dollar to take-home. Because of progressive federal tax brackets, the Electrician’s higher salary is taxed at a higher marginal rate. Of the $10K gross difference, only $8,035 reaches the Electrician’s pocket — the rest goes to taxes.
Truck Drivers face an effective tax rate of 15.3% at median, while Electricians pay 16.0%. The higher rate for Electricians reflects more income being pushed into higher federal brackets.
The best states differ for each profession because salary adjustments vary by state cost index and interact differently with tax brackets. A state that’s great for a $50K earner may not be optimal for a $60K earner.
All 50 states showing estimated salary and take-home for both professions. Sorted by which states give Truck Drivers the largest take-home advantage over Electricians.
| State | Truck Driver Salary | Truck Driver Take-Home | Electrician Salary | Electrician Take-Home | Difference | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $45K | $36,259 | $53K | $42,317 | $-6,058 | Electrician |
| Iowa | $45K | $36,628 | $53K | $42,752 | $-6,124 | Electrician |
| West Virginia | $42K | $34,529 | $50K | $40,691 | $-6,162 | Electrician |
| Mississippi | $42K | $34,562 | $50K | $40,730 | $-6,168 | Electrician |
| Oklahoma | $44K | $36,176 | $52K | $42,357 | $-6,181 | Electrician |
| Minnesota | $50K | $39,154 | $59K | $45,809 | $-6,655 | Electrician |
| Michigan | $46K | $36,496 | $55K | $43,210 | $-6,714 | Electrician |
| Idaho | $48K | $38,204 | $57K | $44,959 | $-6,754 | Electrician |
| Georgia | $47K | $37,505 | $56K | $44,270 | $-6,764 | Electrician |
| Kentucky | $45K | $36,088 | $54K | $42,869 | $-6,781 | Electrician |
| Wisconsin | $47K | $37,607 | $56K | $44,391 | $-6,784 | Electrician |
| Illinois | $47K | $37,618 | $56K | $44,404 | $-6,786 | Electrician |
| Alabama | $44K | $35,444 | $53K | $42,248 | $-6,804 | Electrician |
| Utah | $50K | $40,030 | $59K | $46,843 | $-6,813 | Electrician |
| Indiana | $45K | $36,335 | $54K | $43,166 | $-6,831 | Electrician |
| Ohio | $45K | $36,425 | $54K | $43,274 | $-6,849 | Electrician |
| South Carolina | $46K | $37,227 | $55K | $44,085 | $-6,857 | Electrician |
| North Carolina | $48K | $38,833 | $57K | $45,705 | $-6,872 | Electrician |
| New Mexico | $46K | $37,377 | $55K | $44,263 | $-6,886 | Electrician |
| Kansas | $45K | $36,670 | $54K | $43,568 | $-6,898 | Electrician |
| Montana | $49K | $39,752 | $58K | $46,653 | $-6,901 | Electrician |
| Nebraska | $46K | $37,781 | $55K | $44,746 | $-6,965 | Electrician |
| Louisiana | $46K | $37,870 | $55K | $44,853 | $-6,983 | Electrician |
| Arkansas | $43K | $35,640 | $52K | $42,644 | $-7,003 | Electrician |
| Arizona | $49K | $40,327 | $58K | $47,333 | $-7,006 | Electrician |
| North Dakota | $46K | $38,558 | $55K | $45,675 | $-7,117 | Electrician |
| South Dakota | $46K | $39,141 | $55K | $46,373 | $-7,231 | Electrician |
| Tennessee | $45K | $38,338 | $54K | $45,569 | $-7,231 | Electrician |
| Texas | $47K | $39,945 | $56K | $47,176 | $-7,231 | Electrician |
| Wyoming | $47K | $39,945 | $56K | $47,176 | $-7,231 | Electrician |
| Delaware | $51K | $40,206 | $61K | $47,662 | $-7,456 | Electrician |
| Vermont | $53K | $41,751 | $63K | $49,217 | $-7,466 | Electrician |
| Maine | $49K | $39,274 | $59K | $46,844 | $-7,570 | Electrician |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | $39,312 | $59K | $46,890 | $-7,578 | Electrician |
| Colorado | $53K | $42,434 | $63K | $50,029 | $-7,595 | Electrician |
| Rhode Island | $53K | $42,702 | $63K | $50,348 | $-7,646 | Electrician |
| Virginia | $52K | $42,019 | $62K | $49,680 | $-7,661 | Electrician |
| New York | $63K | $47,392 | $75K | $55,099 | $-7,707 | Electrician |
| Oregon | $55K | $42,008 | $66K | $49,969 | $-7,961 | Electrician |
| Florida | $50K | $42,355 | $60K | $50,390 | $-8,035 | Electrician |
| Nevada | $51K | $43,159 | $61K | $51,194 | $-8,035 | Electrician |
| Maryland | $56K | $44,243 | $67K | $52,400 | $-8,157 | Electrician |
| Connecticut | $56K | $44,632 | $67K | $52,865 | $-8,234 | Electrician |
| New Jersey | $57K | $43,997 | $69K | $52,495 | $-8,498 | Electrician |
| Massachusetts | $59K | $46,637 | $71K | $55,174 | $-8,537 | Electrician |
| Alaska | $64K | $53,604 | $76K | $62,241 | $-8,637 | Electrician |
| California | $71K | $52,586 | $85K | $61,224 | $-8,639 | Electrician |
| Washington | $55K | $46,373 | $66K | $55,206 | $-8,833 | Electrician |
| New Hampshire | $54K | $45,569 | $65K | $54,408 | $-8,838 | Electrician |
| Hawaii | $96K | $69,447 | $115K | $81,455 | $-12,008 | Electrician |
Job Security & Demand: Skilled trades offer strong job security driven by infrastructure needs and a shrinking labor pool. Both Truck Drivers and Electricians face less competition from college-educated workers entering the field, and demand consistently outpaces supply. Truck Drivers benefit from the essential nature of their work — buildings always need electrical systems. Electricians face potential disruption from autonomous vehicles long-term, though this remains years away.
Growth & Advancement: Truck Driver earnings can increase significantly through specialization, overtime, and eventual business ownership. An experienced truck driver running their own shop can earn $100K+. Electrician pay has surged due to driver shortages, with experienced long-haul drivers earning $70K–80K+ and owner-operators potentially more. Neither career requires a four-year degree, meaning you start earning sooner with less debt.
Work-Life Balance & Lifestyle: Work-life balance differs dramatically. Truck Drivers typically work standard or extended weekday hours with physical demands but sleep at home. Electricians (especially long-haul) spend extended periods away from home, which affects both lifestyle and tax residency. For Electricians, establishing residency in a no-tax state is particularly valuable since you’re mobile by nature.