Post job

What is a delivery driver, contractor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Delivery drivers, contractors, usually drive their own vehicles to deliver and pick up cargo. They require a valid driver's license and must be at least 18 years of age. If they are making deliveries across state borders, they need to be at least 21 years old. Training requirements for this position vary, depending on the type of job desired.

Delivery drivers, contractors such as truck drivers or couriers, are responsible for picking up and delivering a variety of items. They must provide their own vehicles and may need a commercial driver's license, depending on the size of the vehicle. Many schools offer commercial driver's license training programs that combine lectures with hands-on driving instructions.

The qualifications to get a delivery job as an independent contractor depends on the size of the vehicle and the type of delivery you do. Good interpersonal, communication and customer service skills are essential for carrying out your responsibilities, no matter what type of delivery you do.

The average hourly salary that this position will get you is $25.25, which amounts to $52,512 annually. It is essential to note that this occupation requires you to work flexible hours, and more often than not, weekends as well.

ScoreDelivery Driver, ContractorUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $36,870

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.77%

Asian 3.42%

Black or African American 11.92%

Hispanic or Latino 19.20%

Unknown 4.56%

White 60.12%

Gender

female 21.05%

male 78.95%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Delivery driver, contractor career paths

Key steps to become a delivery driver, contractor

  1. Explore delivery driver, contractor education requirements

    Most common delivery driver, contractor degrees

    High School Diploma

    34.4 %

    Bachelor's

    28.0 %

    Associate

    22.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific delivery driver, contractor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service47.20%
    Depot33.05%
    Package Delivery9.67%
    GPS0.99%
    Customer Satisfaction0.98%
  3. Complete relevant delivery driver, contractor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New delivery drivers, contractor learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a delivery driver, contractor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real delivery driver, contractor resumes.
  4. Research delivery driver, contractor duties and responsibilities

    • Hire and manage drivers who run the routes.
    • Ensure accurate and timely pick-ups and deliveries utilizing GPS to maximize deliveries in most efficient time.
    • Obey the rules of the road while using GPS navigation to safely and effectively drive within the greater Seattle area.
    • Ensure packages conform to FedEx features of service, proper labeling is provided, and all paperwork is complete and neat.
  5. Prepare your delivery driver, contractor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your delivery driver, contractor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a delivery driver, contractor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable delivery driver, contractor resume templates

    Build a professional delivery driver, contractor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your delivery driver, contractor resume.
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
    Delivery Driver, Contractor Resume
  6. Apply for delivery driver, contractor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a delivery driver, contractor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first delivery driver, contractor job

Zippi

Are you a delivery driver, contractor?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average delivery driver, contractor salary

The average delivery driver, contractor salary in the United States is $36,870 per year or $18 per hour. Delivery driver, contractor salaries range between $25,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average delivery driver, contractor salary
$36,870 Yearly
$17.73 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do delivery drivers, contractor rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Delivery driver, contractor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Flexible hours, you can kind of control your income, even travel to high demand areas (while traveling) to make bigger money. It’s just nice to be able to go almost anywhere and have an opportunity to make money.

Cons

The pay, benefits, and low tips.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

The sitting gets blow drug out sometimes I pretty much get all the ins and outs out of the way before I start the detail or accept the assignment so there's really no Lykes to say about I love my job


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Cons

There is nothing I dislike about independent delivery

Pros

Help people and companies receive their belongings


Working as a delivery driver, contractor? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Delivery driver, contractor FAQs

Search for delivery driver, contractor jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse transportation jobs