Light Truck Driver salary in Kentucky
Light Truck Drivers in Kentucky earn a median of $43,230 a year ($20.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,860. Kentucky ranks 36th of 51 states for light truck drivers pay. There are 7.8 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,780 | $12.88 |
| 25th percentile | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| Median | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| 75th percentile | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,040 | $40.41 |
| Average (mean) | $48,880 | $23.50 |
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 | $3,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,801.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,662.69 |
| Weekly | $831.35 |
| Hourly | $20.78 |
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 cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $47,150 | 6,340 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $44,070 | 7,590 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $42,810 | 1,900 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $42,790 | 340 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $42,420 | 640 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $41,720 | 540 |
| Owensboro, KY | $39,700 | 390 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $39,270 | 650 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,790 | 840 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $54,550 | $26.22 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $23,870 | $11.48 |
| Taxi Driver | $33,850 | $16.28 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,850 | $15.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for light truck drivers in Kentucky is $43,230 a year, or $20.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in Kentucky earn at least $84,040 a year. The top 25% earn $57,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,780 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $33,510 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Kentucky?
About 15,630 light truck drivers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.