Light Truck Driver salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Light Truck Drivers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $49,990 a year ($24.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,060 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $44,860. Pay here is 11% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $45,050. There are 13 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,680, close to the median.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| 25th percentile | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Median | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Average (mean) | $46,680 | $22.44 |
Half of light truck drivers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,165.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,082.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,922.69 |
| Weekly | $961.35 |
| Hourly | $24.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Light Truck Driver salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | $50,340 | 350 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,350 | 8,190 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,010 | 1,020 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $45,800 | 530 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,760 | 260 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,130 | 600 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,970 | 11,940 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $44,960 | 15,350 |
| Savannah, GA | $44,150 | 1,840 |
| Jackson, TN | $43,660 | 630 |
| Morristown, TN | $42,740 | 350 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $42,420 | 640 |
| Albany, GA | $42,180 | 330 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $41,590 | 1,000 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,100 | 1,060 |
| Valdosta, GA | $39,710 | 350 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,330 | 3,820 |
| Rome, GA | $38,060 | 160 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $36,960 | 380 |
| Johnson City, TN | $36,850 | 670 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,330 | 590 |
| Hinesville, GA | $34,600 | 40 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $34,250 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for light truck drivers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,190 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 |
| Washington | $49,070 |
| Minnesota | $48,880 |
| Colorado | $48,410 |
| Maryland | $48,150 |
| Massachusetts | $48,110 |
| North Dakota | $47,950 |
| Illinois | $47,380 |
| Oregon | $47,150 |
See Light Truck Driver pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Traffic Technician | $44,690 | $21.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3033. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for light truck drivers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $49,990 a year, or $24.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $54,060 a year. The top 25% earn $49,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,450 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $38,790 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 3,500 light truck drivers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.