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The differences between courier drivers and laboratory couriers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a courier driver and a laboratory courier. Additionally, a laboratory courier has an average salary of $44,363, which is higher than the $33,137 average annual salary of a courier driver.
The top three skills for a courier driver include patients, cleanliness and customer service. The most important skills for a laboratory courier are hospital lab, cell phones, and stat.
| Courier Driver | Laboratory Courier | |
| Yearly salary | $33,137 | $44,363 |
| Hourly rate | $15.93 | $21.33 |
| Growth rate | 11% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 135,368 | 49,202 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A courier driver is responsible for delivering parcels and documents to the appropriate receiver within a specified timeframe. Courier drivers are either self-employed or hired by courier companies, depending on their preference. A courier driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially those working independently, managing the proper maintenance of their vehicles, performing regular engine check, and immediately call for repair for any defects that might cause delivery delays. They should also ensure the proper handling of the packages, avoiding damages during delivery, responding to the receiver's inquiries, and processing their payments.
A laboratory courier is responsible for transporting laboratory specimens, equipment, supplies, and pertinent documents in a clinic or a hospital. They need to ensure that packages will be delivered on schedule. Most of the time, they work in the field, so this position requires some physical skills. They need to travel to pick up needed items and deliver packages. Their job is risker than that of other couriers, since they need to handle packages with extra care, including keeping them in specific temperatures.
Courier drivers and laboratory couriers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Courier Driver | Laboratory Courier | |
| Average salary | $33,137 | $44,363 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $42,000 | Between $31,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kailua, HI | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | UPS | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a courier driver and a laboratory courier in terms of educational background:
| Courier Driver | Laboratory Courier | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between courier drivers' and laboratory couriers' demographics:
| Courier Driver | Laboratory Courier | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |