Delivery Driver: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$44,860

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

983,300

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Most common education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

74% of workers

Data Government data groups this job as Light Truck Drivers (O*NET-SOC 53-3033.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
2. Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
3. Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
4. 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.
5. Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
6. Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
7. Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.
8. Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.

Telework available

less than 0.5%

of workers had the ability to telework

Workday sitting

54.1%

mean share of the day required to sit

Can pause work

27.3%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

less than 0.5%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

41.4%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

On TryHired lists: Jobs that don't require experience.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Couriers and messengers37.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +10.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $57,860
2. Motor vehicle and parts dealers9.7% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.2% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $32,090
3. Merchant wholesalers, durable goods8.3% of all jobs in this occupation · +4.1% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $44,040
4. Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods5.1% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.8% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $47,970
5. Truck transportation4.2% of all jobs in this occupation · +12.8% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $48,780
6. Rental and leasing services2.3% of all jobs in this occupation · +2.6% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $41,800

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: English Language, Transportation, Customer and Personal Service.

• Automatic routing softwareRoute navigation software
• Computerized inventory tracking softwareInventory management software
• EkoDesktop communications software
• FreightDATAIndustrial control software
• IBM DominoCommunications server software
• Inventory management systemsInventory management software
• Package location and tracking softwareIndustrial control software
• Vehicle location and tracking softwareIndustrial control software
• Microsoft ExcelSpreadsheet softwareHot technology
• Microsoft Office softwareOffice suite softwareHot technology
• Microsoft OutlookElectronic mail softwareHot technology
• Microsoft WindowsOperating system softwareHot technology

Also called: Bulk Delivery Driver, Driver, Light Truck Driver, Package Car Driver, Package Delivery Driver.