Light Truck Drivers
Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.
Also called: Bulk Delivery Driver, Car Escort, Commercial Driver, Deliverer, Delivery Driver, Delivery Person
Median pay
$44,860
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,800 – $80,310
People employed
983,300
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 6.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
Light Truck Drivers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What light truck drivers do
- 01Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
- 02Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
- 03Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
- 04Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition.
- 05Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
- 06Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- English Language
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from light truck drivers
- Couriers and Messengers84% · −13%
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators82% · +3%
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors82% · +11%
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders79% · +31%
- Aircraft Service Attendants79% · −10%
Change into light truck drivers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Couriers and Messengers86% · $39,200
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors82% · $49,690
- Aircraft Service Attendants79% · $40,450
- Parking Attendants78% · $35,150
- Motorboat Operators77% · $47,520
Majors that lead here
- Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.