What Light Truck Drivers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Light Truck Drivers this way: "Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures"; "Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition"; "Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles"; "Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded"; "Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Light Truck Drivers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,068,500 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,136,400 in 2035, an increase of 67,900 jobs (+6.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 107,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 7.2% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,860, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Light Truck Drivers earn the most
Across the 32 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $39,877 in South Carolina to $48,993 in New Hampshire, a gap of $9,116 (1.23 times). 17 of those 32 states average above the BLS national median of $44,860 and 15 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 109,640, which is 9.4% of the 1,170,970 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 84,360.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($48,993), Colorado ($48,295) and Washington ($48,247) lead the ranking, while South Carolina ($39,877) and North Carolina ($40,384) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Light Truck Drivers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 51 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Shelby County, TN (Memphis, TN-MS-AR) at $20,091. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $2,643 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 50 of the 51 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 33.2% and 85.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Light Truck Drivers
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (53-3000) include Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, Bus Drivers, School and Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs.
Frequently asked questions about Light Truck Drivers
What is the national median wage for Light Truck Drivers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $44,860. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $39,877 to $48,993.
Which state pays Light Truck Drivers the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $48,993. Colorado is next at $48,295.
What is the job outlook for Light Truck Drivers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 107,200 openings a year.
What education do Light Truck Drivers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Light Truck Drivers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Shelby County, TN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $20,091 on a median wage of $48,350.