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Light Truck Drivers in Pennsylvania
Considering working as a Light Truck Drivers in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the data says. 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 Pennsylvania?
For light truck drivers working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $42,430 per year (or roughly $20.40/hour).Earnings range from $22,760 at the 10th percentile to $69,880 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,760 | $10.94 |
| 25th percentile | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| Median (50th) | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| 75th percentile | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| 90th percentile | $69,880 | $33.60 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Pennsylvania relative 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), above the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 225,933 light truck drivers in the U.S.. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 42,360 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 12,090 light truck drivers.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Light Truck Drivers
The largest metro-area employers of light truck drivers in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 20,190 | $45,030 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 8,190 | $40,040 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 3,290 | $45,510 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 2,830 | $41,370 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 2,370 | $42,360 |
| Lancaster, PA | 2,190 | $41,340 |
| Reading, PA | 1,310 | $42,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 1,300 | $42,790 |
| Erie, PA | 950 | $37,660 |
| Williamsport, PA | 520 | $42,130 |
| Altoona, PA | 460 | $39,040 |
| Johnstown, PA | 420 | $38,110 |
| Lebanon, PA | 400 | $34,100 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 380 | $37,260 |
| State College, PA | 340 | $41,280 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 180 | $40,470 |
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
The most important light truck drivers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important 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
Common tasks include:
- 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
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to 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