Light Truck Driver Salary in Washington, DC
Light Truck Drivers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $46,360 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,815 take-home, or $3,151 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,383
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,874
- Medicare (1.45%)$672
- District of Columbia income tax$1,616
- Take-home pay$37,815
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,980 | $16.82 | $29,354 | $2,446 |
| 25th percentile | $40,720 | $19.58 | $33,621 | $2,802 |
| Median (50th) | $46,360 | $22.29 | $37,815 | $3,151 |
| 75th percentile | $56,360 | $27.10 | $45,248 | $3,771 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,170 | $36.62 | $58,910 | $4,909 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,360 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $37,815 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,729 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #65 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 |
| 65 | Washington, DC | $46,360 | $37,815 | $34,729 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median light truck driver salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $46,360 a year, or about $22.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,720 and $56,360.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $46,360 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $37,815 a year ($3,151 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,616 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,729 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #65 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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