Light Truck Driver Salary in Denver, CO
Light Truck Drivers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $49,360 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,377 take-home, or $3,365 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,743
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,060
- Medicare (1.45%)$716
- Colorado income tax$1,463
- Take-home pay$40,377
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,610 | $19.04 | $32,972 | $2,748 |
| 25th percentile | $45,860 | $22.05 | $37,719 | $3,143 |
| Median (50th) | $49,360 | $23.73 | $40,377 | $3,365 |
| 75th percentile | $59,350 | $28.53 | $47,965 | $3,997 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,250 | $39.54 | $63,782 | $5,315 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,360 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $40,377 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,170 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Denver, CO | $49,360 | $40,377 | $38,170 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median light truck driver salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $49,360 a year, or about $23.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,860 and $59,350.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $49,360 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $40,377 a year ($3,365 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,463 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,170 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #23 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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