Career comparison
Delivery Driver vs. Truck Driver
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Truck drivers earn more at the median ($58,640 vs. $44,860), while delivery drivers usually get to work faster (1–2 weeks of training). Delivery drivers deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route. Truck drivers haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Delivery Driver | Truck Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $44,860 ($21.57/hr) | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $30,800 – $80,310 | $40,140 – $79,380 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.3% (faster than average) | +3.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 107,200 | 214,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 1–2 weeks | 3–7 weeks |
| Key credential | Valid driver’s license | CDL Class A |
| Work setting | Drivers spend most of the day in vans or small trucks, stepping in and out at every stop. | Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. |
What each job does
Delivery Driver
- 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
Truck Driver
- Inspect trucks and trailers before and after trips
- Plan routes considering weight, height, traffic and weather
- Drive safely while following traffic laws and federal regulations
- Record hours of service with an electronic logging device (ELD)
- Secure cargo and verify loads against shipping documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working independently, travel, working outdoors, and steady routines. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose delivery driver if…
- I like driving and being on the move
- I enjoy working on my own
- I can lift packages all day
Choose truck driver if…
- I like working independently
- I enjoy driving and don’t mind long hours on the road
- I want to start earning within a couple of months
Still torn? Take the Delivery Driver fit quiz and the Truck Driver fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, delivery driver or truck driver?
Truck Drivers earn more at the median: $58,640 versus $44,860 for delivery drivers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Delivery Drivers typically train faster (1–2 weeks) than truck drivers (3–7 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects delivery drivers to grow +6.3% from 2025–35, compared with +3.8% for truck drivers.