What Does a Delivery Driver Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a delivery driver do?

Light truck and delivery drivers pick up, transport and deliver packages and goods in vans and small trucks, usually within a local area, using scanners and route apps. The median pay is $44,860 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +6.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$44,860
$21.57/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+6.3%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
107,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
1–2 weeks
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
1,068,500
Employment, 2025

What delivery drivers do

Delivery drivers move the packages and goods people order every day. They load vans or box trucks, follow optimized routes, scan and deliver packages, collect signatures or photos, and handle pickups and returns. Some deliver groceries, parts, furniture or medical supplies; many work for parcel carriers and their contractors.

Most delivery drivers need a regular driver’s license, a clean driving record and on-the-job training. Larger trucks may require a CDL or DOT medical card. The job is a fast way to start earning and can lead to CDL driving, dispatch or route supervision.

Typical duties

Load and organize the vehicle by stop order
Follow routes using navigation and route apps
Scan, deliver and document packages
Collect signatures and handle pickups and returns
Inspect the vehicle before and after each shift
Communicate with dispatch about delays and problems
Provide courteous customer service

Work environment and schedule

Drivers spend most of the day in vans or small trucks, stepping in and out at every stop. The work involves lifting packages, climbing stairs and driving in traffic and all weather.

Schedule: Shifts typically run 8 to 10 hours, with weekend work common and peak-season overtime around holidays.

A day in the life

7:00 AMCheck in at the station, inspect the van and load packages in route order.
8:00 AMStart the route, scanning each package at delivery.
10:30 AMHandle an apartment complex with a package locker.
12:30 PMTake a short lunch break and check for route updates.

See a full day in the life of a delivery driver →

Delivery Driver salary

Half of delivery drivers earned more than $44,860 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,800 for the lowest 10% to $80,310 for the top 10%.

$30,80010th$44,860Median$80,31090th

Full delivery driver pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a delivery driver

Keep a clean driving record
Apply with carriers or delivery partners
Complete training
Build a strong delivery record
Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Employers provide training on routes, scanners and safety, usually in a few days.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a delivery driver →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Safe driving
Route planning
Package scanning
Loading and organizing cargo
Vehicle inspection

People skills

Time management
Customer courtesy
Reliability
Stamina

All delivery driver skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Fast hiring with little training
Independence on the road
Overtime during peak seasons
Path to CDL and higher-paying driving jobs

Cons

Physically demanding with many stops
Tight delivery targets
Weather and traffic
Dog encounters and difficult addresses

Certifications and licenses

Valid driver’s license: Required for all delivery driving.
DOT medical card: Required for some vehicles over 10,000 pounds in interstate commerce.
Defensive driving course: Training that helps reduce crashes.
CDL Class B: Opens jobs driving larger trucks.

Career path

Delivery Driver: Run a daily route.
Lead Driver or Trainer: Train new drivers and handle tough routes.
CDL Driver: Drive larger trucks for higher pay.
Dispatcher or Delivery Supervisor: Coordinate drivers and operations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Delivery Driver training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as load a delivery van by stop order and deliver a package safely and correctly, safety and how to land your first job.

View Delivery Driver training Is this career right for me?

Truck Driver

Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.

$58,640
3–7 weeks

Postal Mail Carrier

Deliver mail and packages to homes and businesses for the U.S. Postal Service.

$60,550
2–4 weeks

Warehouse Associate

Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.

$40,240
Days (on the job)

Freight Dispatcher

Plan loads, route drivers and keep freight moving on schedule.

$50,340
1–3 months

Compare: Delivery Driver vs. Truck Driver · Delivery Driver vs. Mail Carrier · Delivery Driver vs. Warehouse Associate · Delivery Driver vs. Freight Dispatcher

Delivery Driver FAQ

Do delivery drivers need a CDL?

Most don’t; vans and small trucks need a regular license.

Is delivery driving hard?

It’s physically demanding with many stops, but training is short.

Can delivery driving lead to better jobs?

Yes. Many drivers move into CDL driving, dispatch or supervision.

How much does a delivery driver make?

The median annual wage for delivery drivers was $44,860 ($21.57 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $80,310.

How long does it take to become a delivery driver?

Most people need about 1–2 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical. Drivers need a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Employers provide training on routes, scanners and safety, usually in a few days.

Do you need a degree to be a delivery driver?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-3033 (Light truck drivers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Light truck drivers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Delivery Driver