Light Truck Driver salary in Knoxville, TN
Light Truck Drivers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $39,330 a year ($18.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,910 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $44,860. Pay here is 13% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $45,050. There are 9.0 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,650 | $13.78 |
| 25th percentile | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Median | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| 75th percentile | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Average (mean) | $43,060 | $20.70 |
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 | $3,277.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,638.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,512.69 |
| Weekly | $756.35 |
| Hourly | $18.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Light Truck Driver pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,100 | $28.41 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $31,340 | $15.07 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,400 | $15.09 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,160 | $28.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,410 | $17.50 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for light truck drivers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $39,330 a year, or $18.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $58,910 a year. The top 25% earn $48,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,650 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $35,630 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 3,820 light truck drivers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.