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.
Light Truck Drivers
SOC: 53-3033 O*NET: 53-3033.00
Median Salary
$44,140
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.3%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
120.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Light Truck Drivers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,670
25th percentile
Median
$44,140
50th percentile
Experienced
$52,460
75th percentile
Top Earners
$79,630
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,580
25th
$36,670
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,140
Mean: $47,950
75th
$52,460
90th
$79,630
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $50,050 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,670 and $52,460
- •Salary spread is 35.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 994,410 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,079,800
Top Industries
Couriers and Messengers40.4%
Couriers and Express Delivery Services28.9%
Retail Trade17.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.3%
Annual Openings:120,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,079,800
Current
2034 (Projected)1,158,600
+7.3%
+78,900
Employment Change
+7.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Light Truck Drivers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
117,250 jobs$45,5001.01x
Texas
71,660 jobs$40,7600.80x
Florida
71,340 jobs$40,1601.13x
New York
52,290 jobs$46,0400.85x
Illinois
48,940 jobs$46,4401.25x
Pennsylvania
42,360 jobs$42,4301.09x
North Carolina
37,860 jobs$38,8001.20x
Ohio
35,510 jobs$41,4301.00x
New Jersey
35,290 jobs$45,9201.29x
Tennessee
30,680 jobs$43,6801.45x
Michigan
29,110 jobs$40,5001.03x
Georgia
28,510 jobs$42,9500.91x
Virginia
24,570 jobs$43,2000.94x
Indiana
22,330 jobs$43,0701.09x
Washington
22,170 jobs$47,8700.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Operation and Control
90%
#3
Active Listening
80%
#4
Speaking
70%
#5
Monitoring
60%
#6
Critical Thinking
50%
#7
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.5
90%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.5
70%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.5
50%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance90%
abilities
4.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance50%
abilities
2.5/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks86%
5 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators78%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer78%
5 shared skills
Actors75%
5 shared skills
Craft Artists71%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Light Truck Drivers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations to bases or other vehicles, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Light Truck Drivers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Light Truck Drivers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Light Truck Drivers
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.25
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.24
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.17
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.99
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.86
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.75
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
4.2
Integrity
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Independence
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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