Light Truck Driver Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Light Truck Drivers in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $41,450 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,628 take-home, or $2,886 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,794
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,570
- Medicare (1.45%)$601
- Louisiana income tax$857
- Take-home pay$34,628
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,750 | $12.38 | $22,429 | $1,869 |
| 25th percentile | $32,980 | $15.86 | $28,076 | $2,340 |
| Median (50th) | $41,450 | $19.93 | $34,628 | $2,886 |
| 75th percentile | $51,280 | $24.65 | $42,231 | $3,519 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,170 | $33.74 | $56,476 | $4,706 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,450 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $34,628 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,145 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Light Truck Driver jobs are about as common in Baton Rouge, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #24 of 75 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga, TN | $49,990 | $42,347 | $46,299 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $48,350 | $41,029 | $44,510 |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $47,150 | $38,532 | $41,400 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $47,150 | $38,786 | $40,790 |
| 5 | Omaha, NE | $45,080 | $37,230 | $40,507 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $45,290 | $37,379 | $40,391 |
| 7 | Lakeland, FL | $46,010 | $39,149 | $40,301 |
| 8 | Harrisburg, PA | $48,020 | $39,290 | $39,828 |
| 24 | Baton Rouge, LA | $41,450 | $34,628 | $38,145 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 75 metros →
About the job: light truck drivers
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.3% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Light Truck Driver salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $43,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median light truck driver salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $41,450 a year, or about $19.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,980 and $51,280.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $41,450 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $34,628 a year ($2,886 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $857 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,145 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #24 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $54,840
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,450
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,840