Light Truck Drivers Salary in Wilmington, NC
Light Truck Drivers in Wilmington, NC make a median of $37,390 a year, or about $17.98 an hour. The range runs from $26K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.42), that's roughly $38,778 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,426/month — about 54.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $37K get you in Wilmington?
About light truck drivers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wilmington, NC
Entry-level light truck drivers (10th percentile) start around $26K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $37K 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 Wilmington numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do light truck drivers make in Wilmington, NC?
The median is $37,390 a year - that works out to about $17.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $25,770, and experienced light truck drivers can clear $62,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,533/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,426/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.3% 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 Wilmington?
Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 96.42 (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 $38,778 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.