How to hire a pick up and delivery driver

How to hire a pick up and delivery driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pick up and delivery driver hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pick up and delivery driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pick up and delivery driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a pick up and delivery driver do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The pick up and delivery driver hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pick up and delivery driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pick up and delivery drivers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of pick up and delivery drivers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Pick Up And Delivery Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Pick Up And Delivery Driver	Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. They drive trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW)—the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo—of 26,000 pounds or less... Show more	$12-25
   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... Show more	$10-25
   Warehouse/Driver	A warehouse driver is responsible for transporting packages and other merchandise from the warehouse to different locations. Warehouse drivers strictly follow route sheets to avoid delays in the delivery... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Pallet Jack
   • Federal Regulations
   • LTL
   • Landing Gear
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Hand Trucks
   • Customer Orders
   • Unload Trailers
   • Delivery Route
   • DOT Regulations
   • GPS
   • Customer Service

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Own and experience with GPS systems.
   • Learned and operate the standard DIAD package label scanner, ensuring accurate deliver update status and signatures.
   • Enter parcel delivery verification into mobile company DIAD computer.
   • Load truck with appropriate product and deliver accordingly, return to warehouse for receiving and other warehouse duties including monthly inventory.
   • Enter parcel delivery verification into mobile company DIAD computer.

   More pick up and delivery driver duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pick up and delivery driver job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A pick up and delivery driver salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a pick up and delivery driver in Iowa may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level pick up and delivery driver usually earns less than a senior-level pick up and delivery driver. Additionally, a pick up and delivery driver with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average pick up and delivery driver salary

   $38,724yearly

   $18.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pick up and delivery driver salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average pick up and delivery driver salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$48,060	$23
   2	Massachusetts	$44,690	$21
   3	Washington	$43,792	$21
   4	Minnesota	$43,270	$21
   5	Texas	$43,142	$21
   6	California	$42,546	$20
   7	Oregon	$40,227	$19
   8	Tennessee	$38,667	$19
   9	Colorado	$38,328	$18
   10	Arizona	$36,746	$18
   11	Georgia	$36,239	$17
   12	Florida	$35,769	$17
   13	Iowa	$33,769	$16
   14	Wisconsin	$32,908	$16
   15	Arkansas	$31,941	$15

   Average pick up and delivery driver salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Estes Express Lines	$54,511	$26.21	30
   2	Room & Board	$45,482	$21.87	1
   3	YRC Freight	$43,973	$21.14
   4	satnam	$41,127	$19.77
   5	Black Lion	$41,114	$19.77
   6	United Rentals	$40,930	$19.68	148
   7	Goodyear	$40,899	$19.66	14
   8	CPC Logistics	$39,129	$18.81	7
   9	United Site Services	$38,616	$18.57	2
   10	Graphic Solutions Group	$37,905	$18.22
   11	Iron Mountain	$37,261	$17.91	56
   12	General Pet Supply	$36,970	$17.77
   13	AAA Cooper Transportation	$36,548	$17.57	275
   14	Asbury Automotive Group	$35,809	$17.22	1
   15	Riverhead Building Supply	$35,489	$17.06	20
   16	Amazon	$35,385	$17.01	97
   17	Domino's Pizza	$34,362	$16.52	806
   18	Old Dominion Freight Line	$33,178	$15.95	29
   19	Atlas Staffing	$32,776	$15.76
   20	EatStreet	$28,218	$13.57

4. Writing a pick up and delivery driver job description

   A pick up and delivery driver job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a pick up and delivery driver job description:

   Pick up and delivery driver job description example

   Pick up and Delivery Driver - Honey Bucket - Golden, CO
   
   Average Annual Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 Annually
   
   This position is an hourly paid position with OT
   
   Year-round FT - Typical work week is 50-60+ hours per week. Opportunity for OT.
   We are Essential & GROWING
   Medical Benefits for your family at NO COST to you
   Increasing Wages & Weekly Pay
   Schedule: 5 AM Monday- Friday with some weekends
   Year-round FT+ work
   
   Pay Breakdown - starting wage of $23.00.
   
   Who We Are:
   
   Honey Bucket, a division of Northwest Cascade, is changing expectations by providing exceptional portable sanitation and site services in our community. With over 700 employees across six states, our team exceeds customer expectations in portable restrooms and services, hand-washing stations, fencing, and storage containers. We're an employee-owned company that provides under-credentialed overachievers an opportunity to earn more than just a paycheck.
   
   A "Day in the Life":
   
   Our P&D Driver ensures the quality standards that set us apart from our competition. This position will pull a trailer daily delivering & picking up equipment as well as service equipment. Qualified applicant has to have previous experience of pulling a loaded trailer. If you are energetic, like to work independently and know how to manage your time efficiently this will be a great fit for you. You will:
   
   Must have previous experience of pulling a loaded trailer, will need to be able to do this in metro areas.
   Maintain and service all route customers according to company standards and procedures.
   This position is labor intensive, requiring lifting, reaching and bending while servicing portable toilets. The routine day consists of approximately 30% driving and 70% toilets at designated locations.
   Able to work flexible hours, days and week-ends.
   Customer Service and Teamwork.
   
   Qualifications and Skills:
   
   Honey Bucket can help teach you the industry, give you the tools to succeed, and support your professional growth. For your safety and success:
   
   Clean driving record and pass the required DOT physical and drug screen (no CDL required)
   Ability to lift 50-150 pounds throughout the day
   Ideal candidate will have one or more years in a service-related role with troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
   
   After three months on the job and training, you'll know you're successful if:
   
   You drive and complete your route provided on your phone.
   You can properly service a unit in 5 mins or less.
   You have a quality rating of 95% or better.
   You communicate with your supervisor/dispatch to resolve issues.
   Job offers made by Northwest Cascade Inc. will be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen, and background check, as applicable.
   
   We Offer:
   
   Honey Bucket is committed to the growth and development of our employees' offering on the job training, advancement opportunities and a unique life-long learning program that provides tuition reimbursement for almost any class.
   
   Honey Bucket reinvests a percentage of net profits into employees through annual performance bonuses and provides shareholder opportunities to management.
   
   Our exceptional benefits package includes employer-paid medical, vision and dental for you and your family will be covered at a discounted rate, plus paid time-off and generous union pension.
   
   Conquering tough jobs with Diversity and Inclusion
   
   At Northwest Cascade, home of Honey Bucket, opportunities are equal for all people (race, gender, age, religion, and identity) through hard work and achievement. Our sense of pride, passion, and belonging unites us in our commitment to doing tough jobs for our customers. We have learned through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a strong and innovative workforce that delivers outstanding results.
   
   We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, and veteran or disability status.
   
   IND123

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find pick up and delivery drivers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any pick up and delivery drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level pick up and delivery drivers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pick up and delivery driver job on Zippia to find and recruit pick up and delivery driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit pick up and delivery drivers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pick up and delivery driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect pick up and delivery driver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new pick up and delivery driver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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