Light Truck Driver Salary in Des Moines, IA
Light Truck Drivers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $43,200 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,901 take-home, or $2,992 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,004
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,678
- Medicare (1.45%)$626
- Iowa income tax$990
- Take-home pay$35,901
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,080 | $14.94 | $26,624 | $2,219 |
| 25th percentile | $39,120 | $18.81 | $32,778 | $2,732 |
| Median (50th) | $43,200 | $20.77 | $35,901 | $2,992 |
| 75th percentile | $44,460 | $21.38 | $36,866 | $3,072 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,630 | $29.15 | $49,244 | $4,104 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,200 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $35,901 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,150 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Des Moines, IA has 1.4× 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
Des Moines, IA ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $43,200 | $35,901 | $39,150 |
*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 Des Moines, IA?
The median light truck driver salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $43,200 a year, or about $20.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,120 and $44,460.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $43,200 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $35,901 a year ($2,992 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $990 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,150 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #12 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 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 Des Moines, IA
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,720
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $46,370
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,800