Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
2026 data Public-data reference official source

Light Truck Drivers

BLS-verified salary, growth, and requirements data for light truck drivers, part of the Transportation and Material Moving Occupations occupational family.

SOC 53-3033
National Median Salary
$44,860
/year
Range: $30,800 – $80,310
↑ +7%
Growth 2024-2034
120,200
Annual Openings
B
Safety Grade
983,300
Total Employed

Requirements

Education High school diploma or equivalent

Top Paying States

Light Truck Drivers professionals earn a national median of $44,860 per year according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, positioned in the Transportation and Material Moving Occupations occupational family under SOC code 53-3033. Approximately 983,300 Americans are currently employed in this role nationwide. The full percentile range stretches from $30,800 at the 10th percentile to $80,310 at the 90th, a spread that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and geographic market.

BLS Employment Projections expect the occupation to change by +7% between 2023 and 2033 - faster than average growth relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. That translates to roughly 120,200 annual openings from new positions, retirements, and turnover combined. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent. The occupation carries a WageDex workplace-safety grade of B, derived from BLS CFOI fatality rates and SOII injury rates.

Geographic wage variation is substantial: Alaska currently leads all states at $57,190 for this occupation, while lower-cost regions pay correspondingly less. These gaps typically reflect cost-of-living differences, industry concentration (for example, finance hubs or tech clusters), and the relative supply of qualified workers in each labor market. Before treating this median as a personal benchmark, compare it against percentile position in your own metro, factor in employer-provided benefits that BLS wage surveys exclude, and remember that career-card data captures the occupation as it existed on the May 2025 reference date, not where it will be when you negotiate your next offer.

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Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median salary for Light Truck Drivers?
The median salary for Light Truck Drivers is $44,860 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 OEWS data). This means half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less. The full range is $30,800 (10th percentile) to $80,310 (90th percentile).
Is Light Truck Drivers a growing occupation?
The BLS projects +7% employment change for Light Truck Drivers from 2024 to 2034. There are approximately 120,200 annual job openings. This is faster than average growth.
What education do you need to become a light truck drivers?
The typical entry-level education for Light Truck Drivers is High school diploma or equivalent. These are BLS-reported typical requirements; individual employers may vary.
Which states pay light truck drivers the most?
The highest-paying states for Light Truck Drivers are Alaska ($57,190), District of Columbia ($49,330), Washington ($49,070). Geographic wage variation reflects cost of living, industry concentration, and local labor market conditions.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation card figures are computed directly from the BLS national wage dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES Occupational wage estimates by area and industry · 2025

All federal data sources used on this page
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS / OES) - wage estimates by area + occupation. bls.gov/oes
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) - quarterly employment and wage totals by industry. bls.gov/cew
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - demographic and labor-force context for metro/state aggregates. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) - monthly nonfarm payroll baselines. bls.gov/ces
  • IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) - payroll-tax aggregate context. irs.gov/statistics
  • BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) - unemployment context for labor-market comparisons. bls.gov/lau