Light Truck Driver Salary in Lakeland, FL
Light Truck Drivers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $46,010 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,149 take-home, or $3,262 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,341
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,853
- Medicare (1.45%)$667
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,149
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 Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,540 | $14.20 | $25,915 | $2,160 |
| 25th percentile | $37,640 | $18.10 | $32,424 | $2,702 |
| Median (50th) | $46,010 | $22.12 | $39,149 | $3,262 |
| 75th percentile | $68,460 | $32.91 | $56,992 | $4,749 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,060 | $35.13 | $60,228 | $5,019 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,010 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $39,149 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,301 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lakeland, FL has 1.6× 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
Lakeland, FL ranks #7 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 |
*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 Florida
- Jacksonville, FL — $41,840
- Orlando, FL — $41,870
- North Port, FL — $41,600
- Tampa, FL — $40,490
- Cape Coral, FL — $40,820
- Miami, FL — $42,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Lakeland, FL?
The median light truck driver salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $46,010 a year, or about $22.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,640 and $68,460.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $46,010 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $39,149 a year ($3,262 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,301 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #7 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,090
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $48,290
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $42,800
- Stocker and Order Filler — $39,690
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $32,680