Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Light Truck Driver Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, light truck drivers earned a median annual wage of $44,700 ($21.49/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,900/year and the 90th was $96,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,050 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$44,700$21.49 per hour · $3,725 monthly
10th Percentile$30,900$14.86/hr base
25th Percentile$38,800$18.65/hr base
75th Percentile$49,600$23.85/hr base
90th Percentile$96,600$46.44/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

$44,700
$15,000$90,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$44,700
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,050After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,087Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,425Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,184 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,047 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,420 / yr

Light Truck Drivers Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$14.86/hr$2,575$30,900$26,486
25th Percentile$18.65/hr$3,233$38,800$32,533
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.49/hr$3,725$44,700$37,050
75th Percentile$23.85/hr$4,133$49,600$40,801
90th Percentile$46.44/hr$8,050$96,600$73,769

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$44,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52%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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $44,700, which equates to approximately $3,725 per month or $21.49 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $21.49 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.86/hour and one in ten earned more than $46.44/hour.

What is the pay range for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for light truck drivers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $30,900 at the 10th percentile to $38,800 at the 25th, $49,600 at the 75th, and $96,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do light truck drivers take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $44,700, an estimated $37,050 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,425 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,650 (an effective rate of 17.1%).

How much do light truck drivers make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $44,700, gross monthly income is $3,725. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,087 per month (or $1,425 every two weeks).

Is $44,700 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $44,700, the median salary for light truck drivers is 52% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.