Light Truck Driver Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Light Truck Drivers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $49,990 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,347 take-home, or $3,529 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,819
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,099
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,347
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,450 | $14.16 | $25,843 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $38,790 | $18.65 | $33,348 | $2,779 |
| Median (50th) | $49,990 | $24.03 | $42,347 | $3,529 |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 | $42,347 | $3,529 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,060 | $25.99 | $45,617 | $3,801 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,990 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $42,347 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,299 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chattanooga, TN has 2.1× the national concentration of light truck driver jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #1 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 |
*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 Tennessee
- Memphis, TN — $48,350
- Nashville, TN — $44,970
- Knoxville, TN — $39,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median light truck driver salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $49,990 a year, or about $24.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,790 and $49,990.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $49,990 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $42,347 a year ($3,529 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,299 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #1 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 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 Chattanooga, TN
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,440
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $37,830
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,410