How to hire a courier/independent contractor

How to hire a courier/independent contractor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step courier/independent contractor hiring guide:

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

Post a courier/independent contractor job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your courier/independent contractor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a courier/independent contractor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A courier/independent contractor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, courier/independent contractors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of courier/independent contractors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Courier/Independent Contractor	Description	Hourly rate
   Courier/Independent Contractor	Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. They drive trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW)—the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo—of 26,000 pounds or less... Show more	$10-22
   Mixer Driver	A mixer driver is responsible for operating mixer trucks to deliver construction materials and concrete mixtures to construction and industrial site. Mixer drivers must inspect the condition of the truck's engine before and after operations to ensure its stability and performance that would prevent operational delays and avoid potential hazards... Show more	$17-34
   Lead Driver	Lead drivers are professionals who are responsible for supervising the staff drivers of either a logistics or trucking company. These lead drivers must manage the communication between drivers and personnel while generating dispatch reports base on their drivers' tracking logs... Show more	$12-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Delivery Service
   • Blood Products
   • Delivery Vehicle
   • Stat
   • Customer Service
   • Courier Services
   • DOT
   • Hub
   • GPS
   • On-Time Delivery
   • Medical Equipment
   • Medical Specimens
   • Two-Way Radio

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Hire and manage drivers who run the routes.
   • Pass HIPAA compliance class & TSA background check.
   • Experience in reading maps and using a GPS to ensure proper delivery.
   • Train new couriers, and create a proven formula to tender packages at local airports following all TSA guidelines.
   • Experience navigating offices, warehouses, service stations, residential and other places of business at times using GPS when need.
   • Pick up of medications from warehouse pharmacy and deliver to nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and hospitals.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your courier/independent contractor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A courier/independent contractor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, courier/independent contractors' average salary in florida is 38% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level courier/independent contractors earn 53% less than senior-level courier/independent contractors.
   • Certifications. A courier/independent contractor 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 courier/independent contractor's salary.

   Average courier/independent contractor salary

   $15.82hourly

   $32,902 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level courier/independent contractor salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a courier/independent contractor job description

   A courier/independent contractor 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 courier/independent contractor job description:

   Courier/independent contractor job description example

   • Signup in Seconds : Get started today, and we’ll provide support along the way.
   • Get Paid Fast : Cash out up to 5X a day with Instant Pay.
   • Flexible Schedule : You control when and where you drive.
   • 24/7 Support : The app gives you turn-by-turn directions and access to 24/7 support if you need help.
     
     

   What you need to get started?

   • 21 years old or older
   • A 4-door vehicle
   • A valid U.S. driver’s license and vehicle insurance
   • At least one year of driving experience in the U.S. (3 years if you’re under 23 years old)

   Additional Information

   • If you have previous employment experience in transportation (such as a delivery driver, driver, professional driver, driving job, truck driver, heavy and tractor-trailer driver, CDL truck driver, class a or class b driver, local truck driver, company truck driver, taxi driver, taxi chauffeur, cab driver, cab chauffeur, taxi cab driver, transit bus driver, bus driver, coach bus driver, bus operator, shuttle driver, bus chauffeur) you might also consider driving with our client and earn extra money.
   • We also welcome drivers who have worked with any other peer-to-peer ridesharing or driving networks.
   • Drivers come from all backgrounds and industries ranging from traditional driving and transportation industries to other industries.
   • Driving is a great way to supplement your part-time or full-time income.

   Ready to get started? Sign up today and start earning!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find courier/independent contractors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your courier/independent contractor job on Zippia to find and recruit courier/independent contractor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit courier/independent contractors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 courier/independent contractor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the courier/independent contractor 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new courier/independent contractor 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a courier/independent contractor?