Light Truck Driver salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Light Truck Drivers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $43,200 a year ($20.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,860. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $42,750. There are 8.6 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| 25th percentile | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Median | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| 75th percentile | $44,460 | $21.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Average (mean) | $45,780 | $22.01 |
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 | $3,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,800 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,661.54 |
| Weekly | $830.77 |
| Hourly | $20.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Work on vehicles? Look up safety recalls, the most reported problems and owner complaints for any car or truck by make, model and year on Car Recall Check — see the latest recalls and "do not drive" warnings.
Light Truck Driver salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,200 | 1,180 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,080 | 2,350 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $43,450 | 890 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,080 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $42,030 | 560 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,810 | 660 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $41,150 | 590 |
| Ames, IA | $40,050 | 200 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Commercial Pilot | $121,490 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for light truck drivers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $43,200 a year, or $20.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $60,630 a year. The top 25% earn $44,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,080 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $39,120 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 3,470 light truck drivers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.