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The differences between couriers and courier drivers 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 and a courier driver. Additionally, a courier has an average salary of $36,228, which is higher than the $33,137 average annual salary of a courier driver.
The top three skills for a courier include delivery service, safety policies and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a courier driver are patients, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Courier | Courier Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $36,228 | $33,137 |
| Hourly rate | $17.42 | $15.93 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 13,088 | 135,368 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A courier, also known as a messenger, is an individual who delivers goods to consumers or businesses. Those could be important documents, special packages, items, and even messages from one person to another. Their means of transportation vary from roller skates, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks, and airplanes. Some even travel by foot or any public transportation depending on the target location. Some are employees dedicated to companies, while others are freelancers who provide delivery services.
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.
Couriers and courier drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Courier | Courier Driver | |
| Average salary | $36,228 | $33,137 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Kailua, HI |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | UPS |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a courier and a courier driver in terms of educational background:
| Courier | Courier Driver | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between couriers' and courier drivers' demographics:
| Courier | Courier Driver | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% |
| 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% |