Route driver demographics and statistics in the US
Route driver demographics research summary. Zippia estimates route driver demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our route driver estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about route drivers after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 1,215,776 route drivers currently employed in the United States.
- 9.4% of all route drivers are women, while 90.6% are men.
- The average route driver age is 47 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of route drivers is White (60.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.2%), Black or African American (12.2%) and Unknown (4.8%).
- Route drivers are most in-demand in Indianapolis, IN.
- The manufacturing industry is the highest-paying for route drivers.
- 4% of all route drivers are LGBT.
On this page
Route driver demographics by:
Route driver gender statistics
9.4% of route drivers are women and 90.6% of route drivers are men.
- Male, 90.6%
- Female, 9.4%
Route driver gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 90.6% |
| Female | 9.4% |
Route driver gender pay gap
Women earn 89¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$44,422
Female income
$39,465
Route driver gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in route driver positions over time. Currently, 9.4% of route drivers are female.
Route driver gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 93.04% | 6.96% |
| 2011 | 92.83% | 7.17% |
| 2012 | 92.21% | 7.79% |
| 2013 | 91.91% | 8.09% |
| 2014 | 91.62% | 8.38% |
| 2015 | 91.73% | 8.27% |
| 2016 | 91.46% | 8.54% |
| 2017 | 91.29% | 8.71% |
| 2018 | 90.30% | 9.70% |
| 2019 | 90.48% | 9.52% |
| 2020 | 90.65% | 9.35% |
| 2021 | 90.57% | 9.43% |
Route driver related jobs gender ratio
We compared route drivers with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, diesel truck driver and tank wagon driver have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Matron | 11% | 89% |
| Bus Escort | 18% | 82% |
| Bus Monitor | 19% | 81% |
| Route Driver | 91% | 9% |
| Wrecker Operator | 99% | 1% |
| Tank Wagon Driver | 99% | 1% |
| Diesel Truck Driver | 100% | 0% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Route driver demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among route drivers is White, which makes up 60.2% of all route drivers. Comparatively, 18.2% of route drivers are Hispanic or Latino and 12.2% of route drivers are Black or African American.
- White, 60.2%
- Hispanic or Latino, 18.2%
- Black or African American, 12.2%
- Unknown, 4.8%
- Asian, 3.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
Route driver race
| Route driver race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 60.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.2% |
| Black or African American | 12.2% |
| Unknown | 4.8% |
| Asian | 3.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.8% |
Route driver race and ethnicity over time
See how route driver racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Route driver race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 69.26% | 10.90% | 2.66% | 14.50% |
| 2011 | 68.89% | 11.28% | 2.68% | 14.39% |
| 2012 | 68.18% | 11.43% | 2.83% | 14.73% |
| 2013 | 68.26% | 10.97% | 2.74% | 15.25% |
| 2014 | 67.99% | 11.41% | 2.93% | 14.90% |
| 2015 | 67.07% | 11.75% | 2.97% | 15.36% |
| 2016 | 66.28% | 11.38% | 3.06% | 16.23% |
| 2017 | 66.08% | 11.51% | 3.09% | 16.40% |
| 2018 | 65.58% | 11.55% | 3.39% | 16.41% |
| 2019 | 65.97% | 11.52% | 3.21% | 16.31% |
| 2020 | 63.19% | 11.50% | 3.44% | 16.60% |
| 2021 | 60.24% | 12.19% | 3.79% | 18.21% |
Route driver wage gap by race
According to our data, white route drivers have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Asian route drivers have the lowest average salary at $44,051.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $44,510 |
| White | $44,931 |
| Black or African American | $44,202 |
| Asian | $44,051 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $44,419 |
Average route driver age
See how the average age of route drivers varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Route driver age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 49 | 44 |
| Unknown | 46 | 39.5 |
| Asian | 46 | 43 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 45 | 43 |
| White | 51 | 48 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 49.5 | 47 |
Route driver age breakdown
The average age of route drivers is 40+ years years old, representing 72% of the route driver population.
Route driver age breakdown
| Route Driver Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 72% |
| 30-40 years | 19% |
| 20-30 years | 9% |
Route driver educational attainment
The most common degree for route drivers is high school diploma, with 47% of route drivers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 16%.
- High School Diploma, 47%
- Associate, 18%
- Bachelor's, 16%
- Diploma, 11%
- Other Degrees, 8%
Route drivers by degree level
| Route driver degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 47% |
| Associate | 18% |
| Bachelor's | 16% |
| Diploma | 11% |
| Other Degrees | 8% |
Route driver jobs you might like
Route driver wage gap by degree level
According to the data, route drivers with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $46,655 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, route drivers earn a median annual income of $46,107 compared to $45,719 for route drivers with an High School Diploma degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $41,817 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $45,719 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,107 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $46,655 |
Route driver employment statistics
Most route drivers work for a private in the manufacturing industry.
Company size where route drivers work
Below, you can see the size of companies where route drivers work.
Route driver jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 5% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 11% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 19% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 11% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 31% |
| > 10,000 employees | 23% |
Route driver jobs by company type
Employees with the route driver job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most route drivers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Route driver jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 21% |
| Private | 76% |
| Government | 2% |
Route driver jobs by industry
The most common industries for route drivers are manufacturing, transportation and retail.
Route driver industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22% |
| Transportation | 15% |
| Retail | 14% |
| Hospitality | 12% |
| Fortune 500 | 9% |
| Professional | 4% |
| Media | 3% |
| Finance | 2% |
| Government | 2% |
| Automotive | 2% |
| Utilities | 2% |
| Construction | 2% |
| Health Care | 2% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Agriculture | 2% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Technology | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
Route driver turnover and employment statistics
Route driver unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for route drivers between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Route driver unemployment rate by year
| Year | Route driver unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10.33% |
| 2011 | 8.73% |
| 2012 | 7.76% |
| 2013 | 6.88% |
| 2014 | 5.54% |
| 2015 | 4.98% |
| 2016 | 4.17% |
| 2017 | 4.08% |
| 2018 | 3.68% |
| 2019 | 3.45% |
| 2020 | 5.26% |
| 2021 | 5.44% |
Average route driver tenure
The average route driver stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 32,813 route drivers resumes in Zippia's database.
Route driver tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 24% |
| 1-2 years | 31% |
| 3-4 years | 15% |
| 5-7 years | 16% |
| 8-10 years | 5% |
| 11+ years | 8% |
Route driver LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of route drivers that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Transport Operator | 1.73% | 26,744 |
| Route Driver | 3.95% | - |
| Car Driver | 6.17% | 165,325 |
| City Bus Driver | 8.69% | 49,162 |
| School Transportation Director | 8.77% | 34,627 |
Similar route driver jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Transport Operator | 1.73% | 26,744 |
| Car Driver | 6.17% | 165,325 |
| City Bus Driver | 8.69% | 49,162 |
| School Transportation Director | 8.77% | 34,627 |
Foreign languages spoken by route drivers
The most common foreign language among route drivers is Spanish at 76.9%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is Carrier at 4.2% and Dakota is the third-most popular at 2.6%.
- Spanish, 76.9%
- Carrier, 4.2%
- Dakota, 2.6%
- Portuguese, 2.2%
- German, 2.2%
- Other, 11.9%
Route driver languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 76.9% |
| Carrier | 4.2% |
| Dakota | 2.6% |
| Portuguese | 2.2% |
| German | 2.2% |
| Other | 11.9% |
