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Light Truck Drivers in Indiana
Thinking about a career as a Light Truck Drivers in Indiana? Here’s what you need to know. 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. Excludes “Couriers and Messengers” (43-5021) and “Driver/Sales Workers” (53-3031).
What do Light Truck Drivers Make in Indiana?
For light truck drivers working in Indiana, wages run about $43,070 per year (or about $20.71/hour).Pay can range from $28,070 at the 10th percentile to $82,710 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Median (50th) | $43,070 | $20.71 |
| 75th percentile | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| 90th percentile | $82,710 | $39.77 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Indiana compared to the national average — is 1.09.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, light truck drivers earn a median of $27,779 per year ($13.36/hour), exceeding the Indiana median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 225,933 light truck drivers across the United States. In Indiana alone, approximately 22,330 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 12,090 light truck drivers.
Top Indiana Metros for Light Truck Drivers
The metro areas below employ the most light truck drivers in Indiana.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 8,370 | $45,010 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 1,940 | $39,600 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 1,200 | $40,490 |
| Evansville, IN | 1,060 | $40,880 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 750 | $43,990 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 710 | $41,700 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 430 | $37,920 |
| Kokomo, IN | 390 | $44,980 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 290 | $45,240 |
| Muncie, IN | 260 | $41,600 |
| Columbus, IN | 250 | $39,250 |
| Bloomington, IN | 240 | $44,940 |
Top States for Light Truck Drivers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most light truck drivers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 117,250 |
| Texas | 71,660 |
| Florida | 71,340 |
| New York | 52,290 |
| Illinois | 48,940 |
| Pennsylvania | 42,360 |
| North Carolina | 37,860 |
| Ohio | 35,510 |
| New Jersey | 35,290 |
| Tennessee | 30,680 |
| Michigan | 29,110 |
| Georgia | 28,510 |
| Virginia | 24,570 |
| Indiana | 22,330 |
| Washington | 22,170 |
| Massachusetts | 19,360 |
| Maryland | 19,350 |
| Wisconsin | 19,020 |
| Minnesota | 18,650 |
| Arizona | 18,100 |
Highest-Paying States for Light Truck Drivers
These states pay the most for light truck drivers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $52,000 |
| Idaho | $47,910 |
| Arizona | $47,910 |
| Washington | $47,870 |
| North Dakota | $47,750 |
| District of Columbia | $47,620 |
| Massachusetts | $47,450 |
| Minnesota | $47,440 |
| Colorado | $46,960 |
| Wisconsin | $46,480 |
Skills
Key light truck drivers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for light truck drivers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, light truck drivers typically:
- Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
- Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
- Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
- Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition.
- Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
- Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
- Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.
- Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.
- Drive vehicles with capacities under three tons to transport materials to and from specified destinations, such as railroad stations, plants, residences, offices, or within industrial yards.
- Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
- Use and maintain the tools or equipment found on commercial vehicles, such as weighing or measuring devices.
- Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations to bases or other vehicles, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like light truck drivers include:
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Couriers and Messengers
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Postal Service Clerks
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Also Known As
Bulk Delivery Driver, Car Escort, Commercial Driver, DSP Driver (Delivery Service Partner Driver), Deliverer, Delivery Driver, Delivery Person, Delivery Truck Driver, Directories Distributor, Directory Carrier, Distributor Operator, Driver, Errand Runner, Escort Vehicle Driver, Explosives Truck Driver.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-3033.00