Light Truck Driver salary in Lake Charles, LA
Light Truck Drivers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,280 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $44,860. Pay here is 3% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $39,440. There are 6.6 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,490 | $12.25 |
| 25th percentile | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| Median | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Average (mean) | $45,810 | $22.02 |
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 | $3,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.62 |
| Weekly | $734.81 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $44,280 | 850 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $43,940 | 3,360 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $41,450 | 2,870 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $39,290 | 1,360 |
| Alexandria, LA | $38,600 | 490 |
| Lafayette, LA | $38,290 | 1,660 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $37,350 | 500 |
| Hammond, LA | $37,230 | 400 |
| Monroe, LA | $37,020 | 650 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,550 | $13.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for light truck drivers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $38,210 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $82,280 a year. The top 25% earn $50,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,490 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $31,090 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 670 light truck drivers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.