Light Truck Driver Salary in New Orleans, LA
Light Truck Drivers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $43,940 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,554 take-home, or $3,046 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,093
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,724
- Medicare (1.45%)$637
- Louisiana income tax$932
- Take-home pay$36,554
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,790 | $13.36 | $24,048 | $2,004 |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 | $29,275 | $2,440 |
| Median (50th) | $43,940 | $21.13 | $36,554 | $3,046 |
| 75th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 | $47,893 | $3,991 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,760 | $43.15 | $69,670 | $5,806 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,940 buys in New Orleans, LA
Prices in New Orleans, LA are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $36,554 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,476 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 New Orleans, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for light truck drivers, adjusted for cost of living
New Orleans, LA ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $43,940 | $36,554 | $39,476 |
*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 Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, LA — $41,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in New Orleans, LA?
The median light truck driver salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $43,940 a year, or about $21.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,530 and $58,600.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $43,940 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $36,554 a year ($3,046 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $932 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,476 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #11 of 75 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New Orleans, LA is $1,105 a month ($1,323 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 New Orleans, LA
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $51,540
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,380
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,830