Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
Delivery Drivers
Delivery Drivers 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Delivery Drivers 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.
- Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
- Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
- Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
- Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Delivery Drivers 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. They obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
A typical day for a Light Truck or Delivery Services Driver will also include:
- Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.
- Drive vehicles with capacities under three tons to transport materials to and from specified destinations, such as railroad stations, plants, residences, offices, or within industrial yards.
- Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
- Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
- Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Delivery Drivers also sell products from truck inventory and keep records of sales. They may also use and maintain the tools or equipment found on commercial vehicles, such as weighing or measuring devices.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Delivery Drivers turn in receipts and money received from deliveries. They might also present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.
In addition, they perform emergency repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, fuses, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them 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.
To some Delivery Drivers, it is also their responsibility to report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations to bases or other vehicles, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
58% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
What does your typical day at work look like?
- Sorting the goods based on my delivery locations.
- Loading them to my van and delivering them.
Pros
- Meeting new people is an excitement
- Getting connected to people with a good reputation
- Work is easier to learn
- Able to understand the value of time
Cons
- Losing or damaging goods might cause a serious problem
- Work strains the body a lot
- Few people would show an unpleasant and rough attitude
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Delivery Drivers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $22,470 to $27,580 per year or $11 to $13 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $70,080 | $34 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $50,850 | $24 |
| Median | $37,050 | $18 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $27,580 | $13 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $22,470 | $11 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Delivery Drivers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $67350 | $32.38 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $66760 | $32.10 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $60500 | $29.09 |
| Postal Service (Federal Government) | $57160 | $27.48 |
| Couriers and Express Delivery Services | $56520 | $27.17 |
| Telecommunications | $53790 | $25.86 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $50780 | $24.42 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $48980 | $23.55 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $48840 | $23.48 |
| Insurance Carriers | $48530 | $23.33 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Delivery Drivers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Delivery Drivers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couriers and Express Delivery Services | 213170 | $56520 | $27.17 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery | 72690 | $41840 | $20.11 |
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores | 67670 | $26460 | $12.72 |
| Truck Transportation | 54950 | $44180 | $21.24 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 42540 | $39320 | $18.90 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 33710 | $37690 | $18.12 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 30940 | $32260 | $15.51 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | 26520 | $36380 | $17.49 |
| Automobile Dealers | 25700 | $29230 | $14.05 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 22320 | $27970 | $13.45 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz
