Light Truck Driver salary in Topeka, KS
Light Truck Drivers in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $42,970 a year ($20.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,830 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,860. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $43,730. There are 5.2 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,240 | $12.61 |
| 25th percentile | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Median | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| 75th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Average (mean) | $44,580 | $21.43 |
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 | $3,580.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,790.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,652.69 |
| Weekly | $826.35 |
| Hourly | $20.66 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $46,470 | 340 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,290 | 8,020 |
| Lawrence, KS | $42,960 | 260 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $42,050 | 540 |
| Wichita, KS | $40,780 | 1,840 |
| Manhattan, KS | $39,380 | 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $50,800 | $24.43 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| Commercial Pilot | $104,530 | — |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $34,230 | $16.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for light truck drivers in the Topeka, KS metro area is $42,970 a year, or $20.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $63,830 a year. The top 25% earn $48,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,240 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $33,630 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Topeka, KS?
About 600 light truck drivers are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.