Light Truck Driver Salary in Rapid City, SD
Light Truck Drivers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median $43,250 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,931 take-home, or $3,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median light truck driver salary in Rapid City, SD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,010
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,682
- Medicare (1.45%)$627
- South Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,931
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Light Truck Driver pay by experience in Rapid City, SD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,640 | $13.29 | $24,372 | $2,031 |
| 25th percentile | $35,990 | $17.30 | $31,098 | $2,591 |
| Median (50th) | $43,250 | $20.79 | $36,931 | $3,078 |
| 75th percentile | $49,720 | $23.90 | $42,130 | $3,511 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,700 | $29.18 | $50,952 | $4,246 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,250 buys in Rapid City, SD
Prices in Rapid City, SD are 10.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median light truck driver's $36,931 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,421 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rapid City, SD has 1.7× 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
Rapid City, SD ranks #20 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 |
| 20 | Rapid City, SD | $43,250 | $36,931 | $41,421 |
*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 South Dakota
- Sioux Falls, SD — $42,890
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Rapid City, SD?
The median light truck driver salary in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $43,250 a year, or about $20.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,990 and $49,720.
What is a light truck driver’s take-home pay in Rapid City, SD?
On the median $43,250 salary, a single filer living in South Dakota takes home about $36,931 a year ($3,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to work as a light truck driver?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $44,860. Local prices are 10.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,421 would in a typical U.S. city. Rapid City, SD ranks #20 of 265 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a light truck driver afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rapid City, SD is $1,001 a month ($1,314 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median light truck driver’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,110
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,150