Light Truck Driver Salary in Chicago, IL
Light Truck Drivers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $47,950 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,479 take-home, or $3,207 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,574
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,973
- Medicare (1.45%)$695
- Illinois income tax$2,229
- Take-home pay$38,479
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,780 | $16.72 | $28,549 | $2,379 |
| 25th percentile | $42,460 | $20.41 | $34,340 | $2,862 |
| Median (50th) | $47,950 | $23.05 | $38,479 | $3,207 |
| 75th percentile | $61,600 | $29.62 | $48,771 | $4,064 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,900 | $44.18 | $69,077 | $5,756 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,950 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $38,479 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,144 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.2× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #34 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 |
| 34 | Chicago, IL | $47,950 | $38,479 | $37,144 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Chicago, IL?
The median light truck driver salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,950 a year, or about $23.05 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,460 and $61,600.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $47,950 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $38,479 a year ($3,207 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,229 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,144 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #34 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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