Light Truck Driver salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A light truck driver in California earns a median of $46,790 a year ($22.50/hour equivalent), 4.3% above the national median of $44,860. California ranks #12 of 51 states. About 111,950 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $38,313 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,474 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,799.62
- Federal income tax
- −$132.11
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$111.58
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$26.09
- California income tax
- −$32.86
- CA SDI
- −$23.40
- Take-home pay
- $1,473.58
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $46,790
- Federal
- $3,435
- FICA
- $3,579
- State + local
- $1,463
- Net
- $38,313
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | $57,190 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $49,330 |
| #3 | Washington | $49,070 |
| #4 | Minnesota | $48,880 |
| #5 | Colorado | $48,410 |
| #12 | California | $46,790 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $38,140 |
| #50 | South Carolina | $37,680 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $37,080 |
See the national light truck driver salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Light Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3033), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a light truck driver make in California?
The median salary is $46,790 a year and the average is $53,310 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for light truck drivers?
California ranks #12 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 4% above the national median of $44,860.
What is $46,790 after taxes in California?
About $38,313 a year ($1,474 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.