Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Light Truck Drivers actually take home in Texas?
No state income tax — 15.0% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Light Truck Drivers earning $42,500 in Texas (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $42,500 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$3,116 | 7.3% |
| Texas State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$2,635 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$616 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$6,367 | 15.0% |
| Take-Home Pay | $36,132 | 85.0% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Light Truck Drivers in Texas.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $28,120 | -$3,541 | $24,578 | 12.6% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $34,800 | -$4,854 | $29,945 | 13.9% |
| Median (P50) | $42,500 | -$6,367 | $36,132 | 15.0% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $50,170 | -$7,874 | $42,295 | 15.7% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $91,280 | -$18,905 | $72,374 | 20.7% |
Texas has no state income tax, which means a Light Truck Drivers keeps $36,132 of their $42,500 salary — 85.0% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Texas one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Light Truck Drivers in Texas faces an effective total tax rate of only 15.0%, keeping 85.0% of every gross dollar. That leaves $36,133 net out of $42,500 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Texas is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Light Truck Drivers, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal tax on this Light Truck Drivers salary is $3,116 (49%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($3,251, 51%) make up the other 51% of the bill.
Texas ranks #26 of 51 states for Light Truck Drivers after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $36,133 net/year works out to $3,011/month or $1,390/bi-weekly for this Light Truck Drivers in Texas — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Light Truck Drivers keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Texas ranks #26 out of 51 states for Light Truck Drivers after-tax take-home pay.
A Light Truck Drivers in Texas earning a median salary of $42,500 will take home approximately $36,132 per year after federal income tax ($3,116), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($3,251). That is $3,011 per month or $1,389 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Light Truck Drivers in Texas is 15.0%, broken down as: federal income tax 7.3%, Texas state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Texas does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Light Truck Drivers in Texas only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 15.0%.
After all taxes, a Light Truck Drivers in Texas takes home approximately $3,011 per month, or about $17.37 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $42,500 for Light Truck Drivers in Texas, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Texas state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $36,132/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR