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How to hire a carrier

Carrier hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring carriers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 59,168 carriers in the US, and there are currently 17,784 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a carrier is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per carrier on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Gettysburg, PA, has the highest demand for carriers, with 6 job openings.

How to hire a carrier, step by step

To hire a carrier, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a carrier, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step carrier hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a carrier job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new carrier
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a carrier do?

The duties of a carrier primarily depend on their industry or organization of employment. In the logistics industry, a carrier is responsible for delivering goods in a timely and efficient manner. Their tasks usually include traveling to different areas to deliver or pick-up packages, handling documentation, coordinating with logistics managers, and communicating with the clients to answer any inquiries or provide delivery updates. Moreover, a carrier performs regular vehicle maintenance checks and complies with traffic rules and regulations for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Learn more about the specifics of what a carrier does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The carrier hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect carrier also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of carriers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of CarrierDescriptionHourly rate
    CarrierPostal service workers sell postal products and collect, sort, and deliver mail.$9-33
    Delivery And Mail SorterThe postal service is an essential part of a community, and running this service falls on the shoulders of delivery and mail sorters. The sorter's responsibility is to categorize incoming mail received by the postal service to specific destination groups and have it delivered... Show more$6-38
    Carry Out ClerkA carry out clerk is primarily responsible for processing requests and performing clerical support tasks. They usually prepare and process documents, gather and analyze data, handle inbound and outbound calls, organize files, coordinate with internal and external parties, and update databases and records... Show more$8-31
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Logistics
    • Newspapers
    • Delivery Sequence
    • Customer Service
    • Delivery Vehicle
    • HVAC
    • HOD
    • Market Trends
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Necessary Paperwork
    • GPS
    • LTL
    • COD
    • Customer Complaints
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Arrange mail in delivery sequence, operate llv, used scanner to collect cod and lift packages over 50 pounds.
    • Specialize in the small LTL division.
    • Carry hod and help out at construction sites.
    • Deliver mail by organization unit and/or individual's name.
    • Utilize memorization and problem solving skills to insure proper deliver.
    • Learned how to lay brick and specialize in hod carrying and loading.
    More carrier duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your carrier job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A carrier salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, carriers' average salary in mississippi is 52% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level carriers earn 72% less than senior-level carriers.
    • Certifications. A carrier with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a carrier's salary.

    Average carrier salary

    $37,242yearly

    $17.90 hourly rate

    Entry-level carrier salary
    $19,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average carrier salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$51,304$25
    2Montana$48,124$23
    3Connecticut$45,384$22
    4Massachusetts$44,846$22
    5New York$43,720$21
    6Virginia$42,726$21
    7New Jersey$42,475$20
    8Michigan$42,365$20
    9Ohio$41,404$20
    10Illinois$41,376$20
    11Nevada$40,111$19
    12Pennsylvania$39,917$19
    13Nebraska$39,570$19
    14Colorado$39,476$19
    15Wisconsin$39,441$19
    16Minnesota$38,643$19
    17Iowa$38,237$18
    18Missouri$37,446$18
    19Arizona$36,734$18
    20New Mexico$35,514$17

    Average carrier salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Meta$129,484$62.25
    2Apple$103,613$49.81
    3APS Payroll$53,847$25.89
    4Bertucci's$53,429$25.692
    5Bay and Bay Transportation$51,865$24.94
    6Covenant$48,737$23.43
    7HUB International$47,800$22.98
    8Hillrom$42,912$20.63
    9Rich Products$42,384$20.382
    10JBS USA$42,001$20.19
    11Koch Industries$41,780$20.09
    12Cargill$40,955$19.69
    13E2open$40,775$19.60
    14Post Holdings$40,252$19.35
    15Knight Transportation$39,617$19.05
    16Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC$39,151$18.82
    17Ryder System$37,115$17.84
    18Aon$37,107$17.84
    19J.B. Hunt Transport Services$36,697$17.642
    20J Rayl Transport$35,938$17.28
  4. Writing a carrier job description

    A carrier job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a carrier job description:

    Carrier job description example

    AM Transport Services has been serving manufacturers, distributors, and premium carriers in the midwest for 33 years. Did you know that up to 10% of the US GDP is attributed to the logistics industry any given year? Here at AM Transport Services, we take that seriously. We know that if the supply chain shuts down, there goes the economy.

    Our 10-year mission is to be the best place to work in Richland County, and the only way we can do that is to hire and retain the best group of people. You only have to enter our office to get a feel for the high-energy vibes that comes from our open-space concept. The back-and-forth banter and the eclectic playlists add to the groovy atmosphere.

    We believe in working hard–the job requires it–but playing hard is important too. So you’ll find we’re great proponents of a healthy work/life balance.

    No experience, no worries–we’ll train you!

    Position:

    Carrier Representative

    Reports to:

    Operations Manager

    Job Overview:

    The primary responsibility of the Carrier Representative is to identify and develop carrier capacity to meet the transportation needs of our customers.

    Responsibilities and Duties:

    • Locate, negotiate, and manage the capacity required by the shipments tendered by customers.
    • Provide timely and accurate information to the carriers and to the Customer Representatives while updating the system.
    • Manage shipments and communicate with the carrier's driver and dispatch office to provide timely and accurate information for the team and customer.
    • Establish long-term connections and engagement with carriers.
    • Qualify new carriers and assist in onboarding procedures.
    • Track 100% of customer shipments.
    • Share identified capacity with the team to capitalize on opportunities.
    • Stay current on industry news and trends.
  5. Post your job

    To find carriers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any carriers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level carriers with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your carrier job on Zippia to find and recruit carrier candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with carrier candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new carrier

    Once you have selected a candidate for the carrier position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new carrier first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a carrier?

Hiring a carrier comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting carriers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of carrier recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $37,242 per year for a carrier, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for carriers in the US typically range between $9 and $33 an hour.

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