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Route driver vs courier delivery driver

The differences between route drivers and courier delivery 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 $37,495 average annual salary of a courier delivery driver.

The top three skills for a route driver include CDL, DOT and pickup. The most important skills for a courier delivery driver are fedex, excellent interpersonal, and safety policies.

Route driver vs courier delivery driver overview

Route DriverCourier Delivery Driver
Yearly salary$45,492$37,495
Hourly rate$21.87$18.03
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs266,899366,558
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age4848
Years of experience--

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.

What does a courier delivery driver do?

A courier delivery driver is responsible for distributing parcels and packages from the warehouse to various recipients according to the area of designation. Courier delivery drivers verify the delivery details to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of parcels to prevent delays and possible customer complaints. They also operate the delivery vehicle, requiring them to have comprehensive knowledge of engine maintenance and repairs. A courier delivery driver must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in taking care of the parcels properly to avoid any damage upon delivery.

Route driver vs courier delivery driver salary

Route drivers and courier delivery drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Route DriverCourier Delivery Driver
Average salary$45,492$37,495
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $67,000Between $30,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyBlank RomePostmates
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between route driver and courier delivery driver education

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

Route DriverCourier Delivery Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Route driver vs courier delivery driver demographics

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

Route DriverCourier Delivery Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 90.6% Female, 9.4%Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 3.5% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between route driver and courier delivery driver duties and responsibilities

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

Courier delivery driver example responsibilities.

  • Hire and manage drivers who run the routes.
  • Acquire extensive TSA training while doing this.
  • Maintain CDL and drive multiple types of vehicles.
  • Assist in cross-country load planning of LTL freight.
  • Deliver various products to customers including restaurant food and groceries.
  • Hook and unhook trailers from the tractor and converter dollies.
  • Show more

Route driver vs courier delivery driver skills

Common route driver skills
  • CDL, 25%
  • DOT, 18%
  • Pickup, 4%
  • Customer Locations, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%
  • Necessary Paperwork, 3%
Common courier delivery driver skills
  • FedEx, 30%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 18%
  • Safety Policies, 8%
  • Dependability, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CDL, 5%

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