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How to hire a route supervisor

Route supervisor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring route supervisors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a route supervisor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new route supervisor to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a route supervisor, step by step

To hire a route supervisor, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a route supervisor:

Here's a step-by-step route supervisor hiring guide:

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

What does a route supervisor do?

A route supervisor works with the delivery and logistics department of the company. The route supervisor oversees the dispatching of vehicles and drivers to take specified routes determined by the company. A company needs to ensure on-time and consistent deliveries. The route supervisor also checks each predetermined route if it is free from heavy traffic and congestion. Alternate routes must be immediately provided for deliveries to take during emergencies and delays. Customer satisfaction is of utmost concern, and it is achieved only by safe and speedy deliveries.

Learn more about the specifics of what a route supervisor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the route supervisor you need to hire. Certain route supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a route supervisor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a route supervisor that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of route supervisor salaries for various roles:

    Type of Route SupervisorDescriptionHourly rate
    Route Supervisor$16-28
    Transportation CoordinatorA transportation coordinator is responsible for monitoring the timely deliveries of goods and services based on the shipment agreement. Transportation coordinators track the delivery logistics, assigning fast routes to drivers to avoid possible delays, and adhere to the deadline... Show more$12-24
    Driver ManagerThe job of driver managers involves the recruitment, training, and assessment of drivers and their qualifications pursuant to driving laws. Driver managers manage vehicles confirming their safety and working order... Show more$13-33
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • DOT
    • CDL
    • OSHA
    • Route Delivery
    • Customer Service
    • Relief
    • GPS
    • Customer Relations
    • Customer Complaints
    • Customer Accounts
    • Quality Service
    • Roadnet
    • Driver Performance
    • Inventory Control
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and audit team member's timekeeping.
    • Provide proper training to delivery driver to obtain CDL license when need.
    • Direct a team of 3 people and drive a truck with CDL permit.
    • Translate business needs and priorities into actionable logistics strategies.
    • Deliver packages to customers in a friendly, professional manner while using FedEx scanning device.
    • Serve as liaison between employees, owners, and FedEx corporate to maintain exemplary working relationship.
    More route supervisor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your route supervisor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A route supervisor 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 route supervisor in Ohio may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level route supervisor usually earns less than a senior-level route supervisor. Additionally, a route supervisor 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 route supervisor salary

    $46,770yearly

    $22.49 hourly rate

    Entry-level route supervisor salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average route supervisor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$58,682$28
    2Texas$54,091$26
    3New Mexico$53,922$26
    4New York$50,916$24
    5Colorado$50,688$24
    6Pennsylvania$49,722$24
    7Arkansas$49,100$24
    8Minnesota$48,793$23
    9Florida$48,746$23
    10Virginia$48,030$23
    11Utah$47,988$23
    12Washington$47,850$23
    13Tennessee$47,189$23
    14Georgia$45,793$22
    15North Carolina$45,765$22
    16Oregon$45,388$22
    17South Carolina$44,369$21
    18Indiana$44,358$21
    19Kentucky$43,794$21
    20Missouri$41,764$20

    Average route supervisor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1US Foods$56,249$27.047
    2Prairie Farms Dairy$55,464$26.6714
    3R+L Carriers$55,056$26.479
    4Klosterman Bread$52,887$25.43
    5United Natural Foods$52,815$25.396
    6First Transit$52,480$25.23
    7City of San Antonio$51,197$24.61
    8Prime Time Healthcare$50,620$24.34
    9Bimbo Bakeries$49,611$23.85
    10Burrtec$49,504$23.804
    11Waste Connections$48,426$23.287
    12Denver Public Schools$48,106$23.13
    13City of Tacoma$46,734$22.47
    14Waste Pro$45,961$22.1014
    15Auto-Chlor Services$45,798$22.02
    16Alsco, Inc.$45,744$21.99106
    17Waste Industries$45,684$21.96
    18Scioto Services Llc$45,670$21.96
    19Northwest Cascade Inc.$45,658$21.956
    20Accel Entertainment$45,655$21.95
  4. Writing a route supervisor job description

    A good route supervisor job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a route supervisor job description:

    Route supervisor job description example

    We are Alsco Uniforms. We've been working hard for our customers since 1889 when we invented the uniform and linen rental industry. Alsco Uniforms has grown into a worldwide leader serving over 350,000 customers in 13 countries. It's our job every day to make every aspect of the customer experience better. Whatever our customers need, Alsco Uniforms finds the answers that work for them.

    Our employees are the heart and soul of Alsco Uniforms. As a result, we have a long history of strong financial performance, continuous improvement, and customer service. We're seeking driven professionals with ambition to grow within our company. We'd love to talk to you about how you can fit into our team of diverse individuals and how your hard work will be rewarded with competitive pay and benefits and ongoing career development.

    Join our team and build your career with Alsco Uniforms!

    Job Summary:
    The Route Supervisor supports the Service Department in the goal to provide excellent customer service at all times and assists with the management of route districts. The RS reports to the District Manager.

    Our full-time employees enjoy:

    401K Plan with Company Match

    Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA

    Life Insurance, Disability Insurance

    Vacation, Sick Time, Holidays

    Choice of Global Cash Card or Direct Deposit

    Career Advancement

    Learning & Development Opportunities

    Inclusive and Diverse Team Environment

    Essential Functions:
    - Assist in the development of a district to be a highly productive team, through continual training, regular meetings, daily check-in, fostering a positive work environment, route rides, supervising and building strong relationships with each RSR.
    - Assist the DM as assigned, to ensure customer loyalty and outstanding customer Service through customer visits, audits, new installs, problem solving, openly communicate and negotiate with customers.
    - Leading their district to success, communicate changes and policies, evaluate route organization, project a professional image and require of their district likewise, and cooperatively work with other departments in the branch.
    - Support the department so that all company policies and procedures are followed, including safety and Service SOP. Evaluate service procedures and make recommendations.
    - Complete general route responsibilities when necessary. Safely operate company vehicles, following all applicable laws and company policy.
    - Assist in retention and growth, sales, promotions, contests, proper product mix and continued customer relationships.
    - Perform, as needed, all of the responsibilities of a RSR at a higher level and with a managerial perspective, evaluating the route and the RSR performance on the route.
    - Perform all of the responsibilities of a Route Relief/Utility RSR as needed.
    - When running a route, up-sell, cross-sell and sample all lines of service or product, and ensure a profitable product mix. Monitor and report competitive activity. Keep service agreements current and renewed.
    - Follow written and verbal instructions and perform other tasks as directed by supervision.

    Additional Functions:
    - Work with and support other service personnel as required by supervision.
    Qualifications:
    - Have and maintain a valid Driver's License and must be 21 years or older.
    - Maintain a driving record free of chargeable accidents, speeding, safety or other violations.
    - Demonstrate excellent skills in customer service and route sales.
    - Excellent verbal/written communication skills in English, comprehend and follow direction and good time management skills and team player.
    - Recognize colors, sizes and types of product and count, add and subtract accurately.
    Education:
    - High School graduation or similar experience.

    Travel Requirements:
    - Frequently within the branch area.

    Typical Environmental Conditions:
    - Operating vehicles on public roads, working in and out of customer locations, loading areas of a typical industrial laundry facility, Service Center or depot.
    - Indoor and outdoor areas of a typical industrial facility.

    Typical Physical Activity:
    - Physical Demands/Requirements - sitting, grasping, driving, stooping, moving equipment, kneeling, reaching overhead, lifting up to 75 lbs, standing, walking, writing, speaking, hearing.

    For a general description of benefits that are being offered for this position, please visit alsco.com/benefits.

    Alsco is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

    Revised: 09/10/2021


    Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
    The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right route supervisor for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your route supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit route supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting route supervisors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 route supervisor

    Once you've selected the best route supervisor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new route supervisor 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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How much does it cost to hire a route supervisor?

Before you start to hire route supervisors, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire route supervisors pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $46,770 per year for a route supervisor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for route supervisors in the US typically range between $16 and $28 an hour.

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