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The differences between delivery drivers and courier drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a delivery driver has an average salary of $38,785, which is higher than the $33,137 average annual salary of a courier driver.
The top three skills for a delivery driver include math, basic math and CDL. The most important skills for a courier driver are patients, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Delivery Driver | Courier Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $38,785 | $33,137 |
| Hourly rate | $18.65 | $15.93 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 1,002,317 | 135,368 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 48 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A delivery driver's general responsibility is to ensure that the packages are being delivered to the destination safely and timely. Delivery drivers must be able to communicate well with the delivery team for the most convenient routes and assigned schedule. A delivery driver also has to check with the customer should there be any concerns regarding the items delivered to guarantee satisfaction and accurate service. Delivery drivers should also have basic knowledge of engines in case of any system malfunctions on the road.
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.
Delivery drivers and courier drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Delivery Driver | Courier Driver | |
| Average salary | $38,785 | $33,137 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $56,000 | Between $25,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Kailua, HI |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Trifecta Technologies | UPS |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a delivery driver and a courier driver in terms of educational background:
| Delivery Driver | Courier Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between delivery drivers' and courier drivers' demographics:
| Delivery Driver | Courier Driver | |
| Average age | 48 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7% | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 4% | 8% |