Do you enjoy being on the road? Can you work with customers as well as organize your workload? A delivery driver transports and handles goods by a delivery vehicle and is responsible for delivering their goods on time and in good condition.
The duties and responsibilities of a delivery driver are to deliver items safely and quickly. A successful driver must stick to a schedule and be on time, which requires organization and time management skills. They must load and unload the goods they are transporting while being careful not to damage them. Good communication skills and problem-solving skills are key to being a successful delivery driver.
The key responsibilities of being a delivery driver are to practice safe driving and follow all road laws and regulations. In this position, you represent the company you work for and must keep up with the vehicle interior and exterior to make your vehicle presentable. It’s your responsibility to log miles and other reports that are required.
Sample job description
We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic delivery driver to operate vehicles and cargo for our company. As a driver, you must have a clean and safe driving record, follow all laws, and communicate with our company. We offer employee benefits, fully equipped trucks, and more! As a part of our company, you will represent our brand, and we are looking for someone that values customer service and prioritizes safety.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Transport various types of items to different locations and addresses
- Stick to a schedule and ensure timely completion
- Load/unload trucks
- Inspect, maintain, service, and repair your vehicle
- Maintain various logs
- Follow road laws and regulations
- Track shipments and deliveries
- Obtain customer signatures
- Communicate with other drivers and team members while making deliveries
- Meet delivery deadlines
- Complete basic vehicle maintenance
Education and experience
- High school diploma or general education diploma (GED)
- Driver’s license
- No experience is required unless you are looking for a delivery manager position or senior delivery role
Required skills and qualifications
- Ability to work well under pressure and in unfavorable conditions
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent communication skills
- Organization and time management skills
- Familiarity with the routes
- Being timely without recklessly driving
- Good physical condition and health
- Attention to detail
- Ability to problem solve
Preferred qualifications
- Driver Certification of Professional Competence (CPC)
- Three to five years of driving experience
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a delivery driver is $42,500, which is $20.43/hr. Salary will vary depending on location, industry, company, and size of organization.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $42,250 | $57,150 |
| Los Angeles, California | $47,650 | $64,500 |
| Denver, Colorado | $39,700 | $53,750 |
| Washington, DC | $48,400 | $65,450 |
| Miami, Florida | $39,550 | $53,500 |
| Orlando, Florida | $36,450 | $49,350 |
| Tampa, Florida | $36,800 | $49,850 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $38,650 | $52,250 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $44,400 | $60,100 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $38,250 | $51,800 |
| New York City, New York | $50,550 | $68,400 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $41,150 | $55,700 |
| Dallas, Texas | $40,050 | $54,250 |
| Houston, Texas | $39,900 | $54,000 |
| Seattle, Washington | $46,200 | $62,550 |
| National Average | $36,100 | $48,800 |
Typical work environment
A delivery driver typically spends almost all of their time at work on the road. Being a delivery driver requires drivers to work in hot, cold, or unfavorable weather conditions. You must also navigate to the assigned address and become familiar with the routes you will drive. Preparing for weather is an important part of being able to load and unload items. Most businesses require uniforms for their drivers and in some instances, they may need to wear protective gear or clothing. Drivers frequently interact with customers and store owners, which requires basic customer service skills.
Typical hours
Delivery drivers can begin a day at work early in the morning or late at night. Most drivers work a schedule of 40 hours per week, yet many jobs offer part time work. They usually have a set schedule every week.
Available certifications
Delivery drivers can obtain certifications to increase chances of securing a job, including:
- Commercial Driver License (CDL). The Commercial Driver’s License is a form of driver’s license that is required to operate large or heavy vehicles for commercial purposes. The requirements to obtain a commercial driver’s license are to have a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, have two or more years of driving experience, pass background screenings, and be able to operate commercial vehicles. On average, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $8,000 for a truck driver training course that prepares you for your CDL test.
- OSHA Safety Certification. The OSHA Safety Certification is a certificate that proves you have knowledge on safety topics and practices in the workplace. This means that you know how to practice safety in the workplace and can prevent injuries. An OSHA 10 card means you completed 10 hours of OSHA training, but most employers for delivery drivers are looking for an OSHA 30 card, which requires 30 hours of training.
- EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Operator Certification is an equipment safety program to assess risk and prevent potential issues which can be avoided.
Career path
To become a delivery driver, you must make sure you have a valid in-state driver’s license for the state you are wanting to work in. For some delivery driver roles, you only need a normal license, but if you are wanting to drive large vehicles or trucks, you must obtain a commercial driver’s license. You have to keep a clean and safe driving record as long as you drive. Most positions require a high school diploma or GED and driving experience. You can advance in this career by completing certifications and learning new skills. Learning how to operate different types of vehicles can lead to a better opportunity. With the demand for goods increasing, the employment rates are growing rapidly.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 53-3031
| 2020 Employment | 1,506,000 |
| Projected Employment in 2021 | 1,581,000 |
| Projected 2019-2029 Percentage Shift | 5% increase |
| Projected 2019-2029 Numeric Shift | 75,000 increase |
Position trends
Delivery drivers have a positive outlook at 5%. More e-commerce transactions will require drivers to fulfill this growth of deliveries. Self-employed delivery drivers, such as DoorDash, InstaCart, and GrubHub all benefit from the rise in online orders and restaurants that only do online orders. About 163,100 openings in the delivery driver field is the average for the next decade. Delivery drivers are going to continue to be in demand as long as they possess a clean driving record.
Sample interview questions
- Why do you want to work as a delivery driver?
- Tell us about your driving experience and history.
- Do you have a clean driving record?
- What delivery experience do you have?
- Are you comfortable with driving for several hours at a time?
- Will you be able to work in the snow, wind, and rain?
- What would you do if you got into an accident while driving for us?
- Are you physically capable of lifting heavy amounts of weight?
- If your delivery requires a signature and the signee is not available at the delivery time, what would you do?
- Are you familiar with the services we provide and the products we sell?
- Are you available to work on weekends and nights?
