Light Truck Drivers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $40,090 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $19.27
10th percentile $24,320
90th percentile $94,230
Employed locally 200
National median $44,140

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Light Truck Drivers
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,320
    25th
    $31,340
    50th (median)
    $40,090
    75th
    $51,710
    90th
    $94,230

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Light Truck Drivers salary vs area income 56% Median Light Truck Drivers salary is 44% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Light Truck Drivers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $59,970
    Alaska $52,000
    Anchorage, AK $51,170
    Fairbanks-College, AK $50,370
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $50,060
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $49,780

    Nearby metros — Light Truck Drivers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $49,240
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $48,040
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $47,770
    District of Columbia $47,620
    Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $45,850
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $45,820

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,180
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $53,530
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,180
    Bus Drivers, School $52,020
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $56,480
    Driver/Sales Workers $29,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Light Truck Drivers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Light Truck Drivers in Ames, IA is $19.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.56 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Light Truck Drivers salaries?

    The median Light Truck Drivers salary in Ames, IA is 9.2% below the national median of $44,140. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Light Truck Drivers in Ames?

    Entry-level Light Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $24,320 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,340.