Light Truck Driver salary in North Carolina
Light Truck Drivers in North Carolina earn a median of $39,910 a year ($19.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 31,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,340 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $44,860. North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for light truck drivers pay. There are 6.4 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,490 | $12.73 |
| 25th percentile | $32,750 | $15.74 |
| Median | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| 75th percentile | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Average (mean) | $42,660 | $20.51 |
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 | $3,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,662.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,535 |
| Weekly | $767.50 |
| Hourly | $19.19 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $46,600 | 230 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,860 | 9,560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $41,600 | 5,040 |
| Asheville, NC | $40,980 | 1,430 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $40,730 | 1,820 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40,650 | 3,030 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $39,840 | 3,800 |
| Greenville, NC | $39,470 | 480 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $39,160 | 1,050 |
| Wilmington, NC | $39,070 | 1,170 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,360 | 2,040 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,140 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $38,070 | 1,220 |
| Burlington, NC | $37,940 | 370 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $36,850 | 310 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $32,420 | 240 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Taxi Driver | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for light truck drivers in North Carolina is $39,910 a year, or $19.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in North Carolina earn at least $61,340 a year. The top 25% earn $46,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,490 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $32,750 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in North Carolina?
About 31,810 light truck drivers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.