Light Truck Driver Salary in Houston, TX
Light Truck Drivers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $43,920 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,470 take-home, or $3,122 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,090
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,723
- Medicare (1.45%)$637
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,470
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,820 | $13.86 | $25,337 | $2,111 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 | $30,841 | $2,570 |
| Median (50th) | $43,920 | $21.12 | $37,470 | $3,122 |
| 75th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 | $43,962 | $3,664 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,020 | $44.72 | $74,270 | $6,189 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,920 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $37,470 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,991 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 Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Houston, TX | $43,920 | $37,470 | $37,991 |
*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.
Light Truck Driver salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Austin, TX — $45,820
- San Antonio, TX — $41,600
- Dallas, TX — $44,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Houston, TX?
The median light truck driver salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $43,920 a year, or about $21.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,670 and $52,000.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $43,920 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $37,470 a year ($3,122 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,991 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #25 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
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- Bus Drivers, School — $43,570
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- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $33,920