Light Truck Drivers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $45,250 +2.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.76
10th percentile $35,920
90th percentile $68,740
Employed locally 810
National median $44,140

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Light Truck Drivers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,920
    25th
    $38,190
    50th (median)
    $45,250
    75th
    $49,860
    90th
    $68,740

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Light Truck Drivers salary vs area income 41% Median Light Truck Drivers salary is 59% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $50,060
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,300
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $49,240
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $48,180
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $47,270
    Vallejo, CA $46,560

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,860
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $41,170
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,110
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $35,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,550
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,100

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Light Truck Drivers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Light Truck Drivers in Santa Cruz, CA is $21.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.65 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Light Truck Drivers salaries?

    The median Light Truck Drivers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2.5% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Light Truck Drivers (10th percentile) earn around $35,920 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,190.