Ames, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Light Truck Driver Salary in Ames, IA

In the Ames, IA metropolitan area, light truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $43,300 ($20.82/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,000/year and the 90th was $93,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,978 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$43,300$20.82 per hour · $3,608 monthly
10th Percentile$30,000$14.42/hr base
25th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
75th Percentile$48,100$23.13/hr base
90th Percentile$93,600$45.00/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$43,300
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$43,300
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,978After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,998Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,384Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,016 / yr
Iowa state income tax$994 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,312 / yr

Light Truck Drivers Wage Percentiles in Ames, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Light Truck Drivers in the Ames, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$14.42/hr$2,500$30,000$25,797
25th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,538
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,978
75th Percentile$23.13/hr$4,008$48,100$39,652
90th Percentile$45.00/hr$7,800$93,600$71,773

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Ames, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$43,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$73,127Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.811.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio59.2%of area median income

Compare light truck drivers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Light Truck Drivers Pay in Ames, IA

What is the median salary for light truck drivers in Ames, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for light truck drivers in Ames, IA is $43,300, which equates to approximately $3,608 per month or $20.82 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for light truck drivers in Ames, IA?

The median hourly wage for light truck drivers in Ames, IA is $20.82 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.42/hour and one in ten earned more than $45.00/hour.

What is the pay range for light truck drivers in Ames, IA?

BLS wage estimates for light truck drivers in Ames, IA span from $30,000 at the 10th percentile to $37,500 at the 25th, $48,100 at the 75th, and $93,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do light truck drivers take home after taxes in Ames, IA?

On a median gross salary of $43,300, an estimated $35,978 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,384 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,322 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

How much do light truck drivers make per month in Ames, IA?

On the median annual salary of $43,300, gross monthly income is $3,608. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,998 per month (or $1,384 every two weeks).

Is $43,300 a good salary in Ames, IA?

At $43,300, the median salary for light truck drivers is 59.2% of the Ames, IA median household income ($73,127). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.8, making regional consumer goods and services 11.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.