Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Courier
What couriers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a courier?
Get the route. From there, the day usually includes pick up items, deliver items, and get signatures. Full or part time, with independent contractor options.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a courier working full time.
- Get the route.
- Pick up lab specimens.
- Deliver to the hospital lab.
- File court papers.
- Rush delivery downtown.
- Pick up from a law firm.
- Close out deliveries.
Where couriers work
Couriers work on the road, on bikes and in buildings.
Hours and schedule
Full or part time, with independent contractor options.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Pick up items
- Deliver items
- Get signatures
- Plan routes
- Handle specimens safely
- Track deliveries
- Communicate with dispatch
Tools you’ll use every day
- Delivery apps
- GPS
- Coolers
- Scanners
- Vehicles or bikes
- Phones
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Independence
- Short training
- Active work
What’s hard
- Traffic and weather
- Vehicle costs if contractor
- Time pressure
- Modest pay
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like being on the move
- I’m reliable
- I manage time well
- I like working alone
- I want growing work
- I want short training
Not sure? Take the free Courier fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Drive defensively
- Follow bloodborne pathogen rules
- Lift safely
- Stay alert in traffic