Light Truck Drivers Salary in Lake Charles, LA
Light Truck Drivers in Lake Charles, LA make a median of $38,720 a year, or about $18.62 an hour. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $45,102 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,217/month — about 46.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $39K get you in Lake Charles?
About light truck drivers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level light truck drivers (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K.Top earners bring in $80K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Light Truck Drivers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $52K | +18% | 1,090 |
| Idaho | $48K | +9% | 7,440 |
| Arizona | $48K | +9% | 18,100 |
| Washington | $48K | +8% | 22,170 |
| North Dakota | $48K | +8% | 2,140 |
| District of Columbia | $48K | +8% | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +7% | 19,360 |
| Minnesota | $47K | +7% | 18,650 |
| Wisconsin | $46K | +5% | 19,020 |
| Illinois | $46K | +5% | 48,940 |
| Maryland | $46K | +5% | 19,350 |
| Montana | $46K | +5% | 3,360 |
| New York | $46K | +4% | 52,290 |
| New Jersey | $46K | +4% | 35,290 |
| Oregon | $46K | +4% | 12,090 |
Track light truck drivers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lake Charles numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do light truck drivers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $38,720 a year - that works out to about $18.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,450, and experienced light truck drivers can clear $80,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,667/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 45.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a light truck drivers salary go in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Regional Price Parity of 85.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median light truck drivers salary is worth about $45,102 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do light truck drivers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.