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What does a package delivery driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
What does a package delivery driver do

A package delivery driver is responsible for picking up parcels and merchandise from warehouse or distribution centers for deliveries to different destinations. Package delivery drivers should be cautious in moving items, most importantly fragile packages, following special instructions as needed. They inspect their vehicle's condition and conduct regular maintenance to prevent delays in operations and road failures. A package delivery driver ensures the receipt of packages upon delivery, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, and resolve and escalate complaints to the management immediately.

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Package delivery driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real package delivery driver resumes:

  • Hire and manage drivers who run the routes.
  • Conduct pre-trip vehicle inspection on a daily basis.
  • Complete daily pre-trip vehicle inspection check before start of delivery day.
  • Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, Hazmat paperwork with regulations.
  • Operate all size package cars including large non CDL box moving trucks.
  • Set ladders, scaffolds, and hoists in place for taking supplies to roofs
  • Deliver HVAC material to large construction sites in a safe and timely manner.
  • Transport and deliver propane from storage plant to destinations in a safe and timely manner.
  • Unload product trailers, receive product, and assign product into various locations using RF scanner.
  • Inventory are run yearly and count by hand rather than cycle counted with an RF gun.
  • Operate tractors, low-boys, grain trucks, front end loaders, and drive potatotruck during harvest season.
  • Unload product from truck bays onto hand-truck dollies and u-boats, which are then push into the different accounts.
  • Hook & unhook sets of triple box trailers & dollies to tractor, sometimes park trailers at loading docks.
  • Experience in manual removal, curotto cans, automate labrie, automate side loaders and rear loaders for residential collection.
  • Deliver plumbing supplies to customers business or residences

Package delivery driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 42% of Package Delivery Drivers are proficient in CDL, Physical Exams, and Delivery Vehicle. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Hand-eye coordination, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Package Delivery Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CDL, 42%

    Operate both standard and automatic delivery trucks requiring a Class B CDL with air brake endorsement.

  • Physical Exams, 37%

    Have a DOT physical exam and have the ability to operate a standard (manual) transmission vehicle.

  • Delivery Vehicle, 13%

    Operate and maintain a P80 commercial delivery vehicle while demonstrating an understanding for the strict protocol enforced by the company.

  • Appearance Guidelines, 4%

    Comply with the companies guidelines in terms of security, appearance guidelines, and company provided uniform.

  • Delivery Route, 1%

    Delivered postal orders on scheduled delivery routes.

  • Outdoor Position, 1%

    Fast paced physical outdoor position involving continual lifting, lowering, and carrying of packages weighing from 25-100lbs.

"cdl," "physical exams," and "delivery vehicle" are among the most common skills that package delivery drivers use at work. You can find even more package delivery driver responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a package delivery driver to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what package delivery drivers do because "when completing deliveries, drivers often interact with customers and should make a good impression to ensure repeat business." Additionally, a package delivery driver resume shows how package delivery drivers use customer-service skills: "obtain new customers along delivery route. "

Hand-eye coordination. Many package delivery driver duties rely on hand-eye coordination. "drivers need to observe their surroundings at all times while operating a vehicle.," so a package delivery driver will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways package delivery driver responsibilities rely on hand-eye coordination: "move items from storage areas to shipment pallets (good hand-eye coordination neccessary). "

Math skills. This is an important skill for package delivery drivers to perform their duties. For an example of how package delivery driver responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "because delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers sometimes take payment, they must be able to count cash and make change quickly and accurately." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a package delivery driver: "load carts, use a scanner, occasional simple math, building a relationship with clients and shippers. ".

Patience. A big part of what package delivery drivers do relies on "patience." You can see how essential it is to package delivery driver responsibilities because "when driving through heavy traffic congestion, delivery drivers must remain calm and composed." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical package delivery driver tasks: "utilize good customer service skills such as courtesy, patience, active listening, and service with a smile. "

Sales skills. Another common skill required for package delivery driver responsibilities is "sales skills." This skill comes up in the duties of package delivery drivers all the time, as "driver/sales workers are expected to persuade customers to purchase new or different products." An excerpt from a real package delivery driver resume shows how this skill is central to what a package delivery driver does: "addressed customer concerns, acted as a customer service representative and generated sales leads. "

Visual ability. Another skill commonly found on package delivery driver job descriptions is "visual ability." It can come up quite often in package delivery driver duties, since "to have a driver’s license, delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers must be able to pass a state vision test." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day package delivery driver responsibilities: "load delivery vehicle and visually check items for damage. "

Most common package delivery driver skills

The three companies that hire the most package delivery drivers are:

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Compare different package delivery drivers

Package delivery driver vs. Car washer

A car washer is responsible for cleaning and polishing cars, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. Their tasks typically include vacuuming the interior parts such as seats and floors, discarding the trash, cleaning the windows and windshield from the inside and outside, applying soap solution to the car's exterior, scraping off dirt, and applying wax. They may also answer customer inquiries, provide cost estimates, and assist them as needed. Moreover, a car washer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

The annual salary of car washers is $8,570 lower than the average salary of package delivery drivers.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, package delivery driver responsibilities require skills like "cdl," "physical exams," "delivery vehicle," and "appearance guidelines." Meanwhile a typical car washer has skills in areas such as "clean vehicle," "customer satisfaction," "cleanliness," and "vehicle exterior." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Car washers earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $29,989. On the other hand, package delivery drivers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $44,667.car washers tend to reach similar levels of education than package delivery drivers. In fact, car washers are 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Package delivery driver vs. Driver

Drivers are responsible for safely transporting people, packages, or goods from one destination to another. They should be familiar with the different routes that may be taken to reach the desired goal. They should be expert navigators and may use navigation apps to help them along the way. They should also be familiar with the basic mechanics of the vehicle they are using and the proper maintenance and cleaning needed to ensure that the car is running well. Drivers are expected to have excellent customer relation skills, a strong sense of direction, and superb organizations.

On average, drivers earn a $2,500 lower salary than package delivery drivers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both package delivery drivers and drivers have skills such as "cdl," "customer service," and "gps. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, package delivery driver responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "physical exams," "delivery vehicle," "appearance guidelines," and "delivery route." Meanwhile, a driver has duties that require skills in areas such as "math," "basic math," "safety rules," and "cleanliness." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, drivers earn a lower salary than package delivery drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, drivers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $39,688. Whereas package delivery drivers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $44,667.In general, drivers achieve similar levels of education than package delivery drivers. They're 1.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Package delivery driver vs. Route driver

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.

On average scale, route drivers bring in higher salaries than package delivery drivers. In fact, they earn a $8,221 higher salary per year.By looking over several package delivery drivers and route drivers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cdl," "delivery vehicle," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from package delivery driver resumes include skills like "physical exams," "appearance guidelines," "delivery route," and "outdoor position," whereas a route driver is more likely to list skills in "dot," "pickup," "customer locations," and "cleanliness. "

Route drivers make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $47,349. On the other hand, package delivery drivers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $44,667.route drivers typically earn similar educational levels compared to package delivery drivers. Specifically, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Package delivery driver vs. Tow truck driver

Typically working upon the directives of dispatchers, a tow truck driver is in charge of driving to areas where a vehicle accident or breakdown took place, connecting the vehicle to the tow truck, and transporting them to repair stations or particular places. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to identify their needs, answering inquiries, providing assistance by performing minor repairs, changing tires or jump-starting cars, and recommending solutions when necessary. Furthermore, as a tow truck driver, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on towing trucks for a safe and efficient service.

Tow truck drivers tend to earn a higher pay than package delivery drivers by an average of $1,284 per year.According to resumes from package delivery drivers and tow truck drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cdl," "customer service," and "gps. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A package delivery driver uses "physical exams," "delivery vehicle," "appearance guidelines," and "delivery route." Tow truck drivers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "transport vehicles," "loaders," "aaa," and "fuel delivery. "tow truck drivers enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $39,670. For comparison, package delivery drivers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.The average resume of tow truck drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to package delivery drivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of package delivery driver

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.

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