Light Truck Driver salary in Tennessee
Light Truck Drivers in Tennessee earn a median of $45,050 a year ($21.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 33,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,480 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $44,860. Tennessee ranks 23rd of 51 states for light truck drivers pay. There are 10 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Median | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| 75th percentile | $54,110 | $26.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| Average (mean) | $49,120 | $23.62 |
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 | $3,754.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,877.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,732.69 |
| Weekly | $866.35 |
| Hourly | $21.66 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $49,990 | 3,500 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,350 | 8,190 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,760 | 260 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,970 | 11,940 |
| Jackson, TN | $43,660 | 630 |
| Morristown, TN | $42,740 | 350 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $42,420 | 640 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $41,590 | 1,000 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,330 | 3,820 |
| Johnson City, TN | $36,850 | 670 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $33,550 | $16.13 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,740 | $17.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,970 | $15.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for light truck drivers in Tennessee is $45,050 a year, or $21.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in Tennessee earn at least $83,480 a year. The top 25% earn $54,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,190 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $38,150 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Tennessee?
About 33,710 light truck drivers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.