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Delivery driver vs route driver

The differences between delivery drivers and route drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a route driver has an average salary of $45,492, which is higher than the $38,785 average annual salary of a delivery driver.

The top three skills for a delivery driver include math, basic math and CDL. The most important skills for a route driver are CDL, DOT, and pickup.

Delivery driver vs route driver overview

Delivery DriverRoute Driver
Yearly salary$38,785$45,492
Hourly rate$18.65$21.87
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs1,002,317266,899
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age4848
Years of experience--

What does a delivery driver do?

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.

What does a route driver do?

A Route Driver is responsible for delivering and transporting supplies or goods within an allotted time. The tasks will vary upon the organization or industry that a Route Driver works for, however, most of the time, the duties will revolve around picking up and dropping off packages at particular destinations ranging from homes to establishments, and communicating with customers. Furthermore, Route Drivers must keep their vehicles in clean and sound condition, report to supervisors should there be any issue, and adhere to the company policies and regulations at all times.

Delivery driver vs route driver salary

Delivery drivers and route drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Delivery DriverRoute Driver
Average salary$38,785$45,492
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $56,000Between $30,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyTrifecta TechnologiesBlank Rome
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between delivery driver and route driver education

There are a few differences between a delivery driver and a route driver in terms of educational background:

Delivery DriverRoute Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Delivery driver vs route driver demographics

Here are the differences between delivery drivers' and route drivers' demographics:

Delivery DriverRoute Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 83.3% Female, 16.7%Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between delivery driver and route driver duties and responsibilities

Delivery driver example responsibilities.

  • Foster strong customer bonds with all clients on route by providing the best possible customer service.
  • Perform daily pre and post trip inspections on the delivery vehicle in accordance to safety and compliance standards.
  • Provide AAA roadside assistance to customers, including jump starts, lock-outs, tire changes, gasoline service.
  • Deliver groceries to clients while executing exceptional customer service.
  • Work in high pace environment often multitasking and establishing customer orders
  • Deliver drugs and assemble medical equipment upon delivery to pharmacy patients daily.
  • Show more

Route driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage 100 stores as a DSD vendor, entailing presales, delivery and basic account management.
  • Inspect vehicle and load for safety and HazMat regulations being meet.
  • DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements.
  • Train new employees to read and follow route sheets, as well as prepare them for CDL testing.
  • Travel to and from designate areas to pickup and deliver parcels and packages to and from FedEx customers.
  • Record routes in the delivery vehicle GPS system to facilitate weekly route planning and to assist share route drivers.
  • Show more

Delivery driver vs route driver skills

Common delivery driver skills
  • Math, 12%
  • Basic Math, 11%
  • CDL, 10%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
Common route driver skills
  • CDL, 25%
  • DOT, 18%
  • Pickup, 4%
  • Customer Locations, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%
  • Necessary Paperwork, 3%

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