What Does a Route Sales Driver Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a route sales driver do?

Driver/sales workers drive trucks or other vehicles over established routes to deliver and sell goods, such as food products, or pick up or deliver items. The median pay is $38,770 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow +7.9% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$38,770
$18.64/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+7.9%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
45,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
442,900
Employment, 2025

What route sales drivers do

Route sales drivers combine driving and selling. They deliver snacks, drinks, bread, uniforms or supplies to stores and businesses, stock shelves, take new orders, collect payments and grow sales on their routes. Food delivery app drivers are also counted here.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Drive routes
Deliver products
Stock shelves
Take orders
Collect payments
Build customer relationships
Track inventory

Work environment and schedule

Drivers work in trucks and at customer locations.

Schedule: Early starts, often finishing by early afternoon.

A day in the life

5:00 AMLoad the truck.
6:00 AMFirst store delivery.
7:30 AMStock shelves.
9:00 AMPitch a new product.

See a full day in the life of a route sales driver →

Route Sales Driver salary

Half of route sales drivers earned more than $38,770 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $22,590 for the lowest 10% to $59,980 for the top 10%.

$22,59010th$38,770Median$59,98090th

Full route sales driver pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a route sales driver

Finish high school
Keep a clean driving record
Get a CDL if needed
Get hired
Grow your route

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a route sales driver →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Safe driving
Merchandising
Order taking
Sales
Inventory tracking

People skills

Friendliness
Persistence
Reliability
Time management

All route sales driver skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
Commission potential
Independence
Early finish

Cons

Very early starts
Lifting
Weather
Sales pressure

Certifications and licenses

CDL: For larger trucks.
Clean driving record: Required.
Sales training: Employer.
Food handler card: Some routes.

Career path

Route Driver: Entry.
Senior Route Driver: Bigger routes.
Route Supervisor: Lead.
Sales Manager: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Route Sales Driver training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as merchandise a store shelf and grow sales on a route, safety and how to land your first job.

View Route Sales Driver training Is this career right for me?

Delivery Driver

Deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route.

$44,860
1–2 weeks

Truck Driver

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

$58,640
3–7 weeks

Wholesale Sales Representative

Sell products from manufacturers and distributors to businesses in a territory.

$72,080
1–6 months

Courier

Pick up and deliver documents, packages and medical samples fast.

$39,200
A few days to weeks

Compare: Route Sales Driver vs. Delivery Driver · Route Sales Driver vs. Truck Driver · Route Sales Driver vs. Wholesale Sales Rep · Route Sales Driver vs. Courier

Route Sales Driver FAQ

Do I need a CDL?

For larger trucks, yes.

Is the job growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Is pay commission?

Often partly commission.

How much does a route sales driver make?

The median annual wage for route sales drivers was $38,770 ($18.64 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $22,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $59,980.

How long does it take to become a route sales driver?

Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a route sales 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 53-3031 (Driver/sales workers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Driver/sales workers (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.

Route Sales Driver