Light Truck Driver Salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Light Truck Drivers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median $43,650 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,995 take-home, or $3,000 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Fort Wayne, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,058
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,706
- Medicare (1.45%)$633
- Indiana income tax$1,258
- Take-home pay$35,995
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Fort Wayne, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,358 | $2,197 |
| 25th percentile | $39,310 | $18.90 | $32,635 | $2,720 |
| Median (50th) | $43,650 | $20.99 | $35,995 | $3,000 |
| 75th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 | $39,153 | $3,263 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,730 | $37.37 | $61,250 | $5,104 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,650 buys in Fort Wayne, IN
Prices in Fort Wayne, IN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $35,995 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,883 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Wayne, IN 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
Fort Wayne, IN ranks #70 of 265 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 | Anchorage, AK | $57,250 | $48,180 | $45,703 |
| 3 | Hagerstown, MD | $53,190 | $42,755 | $45,402 |
| 4 | Memphis, TN | $48,350 | $41,029 | $44,510 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $47,170 | $40,081 | $44,108 |
| 6 | Jackson, TN | $43,660 | $37,261 | $43,569 |
| 7 | Decatur, IL | $47,660 | $38,260 | $43,270 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $46,330 | $37,746 | $43,073 |
| 70 | Fort Wayne, IN | $43,650 | $35,995 | $38,883 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 265 metros →
Light Truck Driver salaries elsewhere in Indiana
- Elkhart, IN — $46,950
- Evansville, IN — $43,130
- Indianapolis, IN — $45,180
- South Bend, IN — $43,300
- Lafayette, IN — $43,310
- Terre Haute, IN — $40,370
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median light truck driver salary in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $43,650 a year, or about $20.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,310 and $47,730.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Fort Wayne, IN?
On the median $43,650 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $35,995 a year ($3,000 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,258 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Wayne, IN a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,883 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Wayne, IN ranks #70 of 265 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Fort Wayne, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Wayne, IN is $906 a month ($1,105 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $61,850
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,050
- Bus Drivers, School — $48,020
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $43,850
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $37,860
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $36,630
- Stocker and Order Filler — $35,690
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $34,070
- Driver/Sales Worker — $33,290