Delivery Driver

Your Fit

Income

$40K

Preparation

Some

Growth

11.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Delivery Driver?

A Delivery Driver is responsible for transporting goods from distribution centers to businesses and consumers. This role involves managing time efficiently to ensure timely deliveries, handling packages, and providing customer service.

Sample job titles:

Delivery Driver, Driver, Package Car Driver, Truck Driver

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Delivery Driver.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Delivery Driver earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Delivery Driver.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$33K per year	$40K per year	$50K per year	$62K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $26K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Delivery Driver do?

Work environment

Delivery Drivers typically operate vehicles like light trucks, vans, or cars. The work includes loading and unloading cargo, driving in various traffic and weather conditions, and interacting with customers. Work hours can vary, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, depending on the employer and route.

Quick task list

Loads and unloads packages and goods from vehicles.
Delivers items to customers while adhering to delivery schedules.
Navigates routes using GPS or map applications.
Maintains logs and records of deliveries.
Performs basic vehicle maintenance checks.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Parcel Delivery Driver: Specializing in small package deliveries, often for courier companies.
Food Delivery Driver: Delivering food from restaurants or grocery stores to customers.
Freight Delivery Driver: Transporting larger goods, often requiring a CDL for larger vehicles.
Medical Delivery Driver: Delivering medical supplies and requiring knowledge of handling sensitive items.
E-commerce Delivery Driver: Working specifically with online retail companies for home deliveries.

Description

Delivery Drivers are essential in ensuring that goods reach their destinations promptly and safely. They must be adept at route planning to optimize delivery times and handle unexpected delays like traffic or weather conditions. The role requires physical stamina for loading and unloading, sometimes of heavy items, and spending long periods on the road.

Good customer service skills are also crucial, as drivers represent the final point of contact between the customer and the company. They need to be able to handle customer queries, complaints, and ensure a positive experience. Keeping accurate records of deliveries and maintaining the vehicle's condition are also important aspects of the job.

For those interested in driving larger vehicles or handling specialized cargo, obtaining additional certifications or licenses can provide opportunities for advancement. The role can be quite independent, offering a degree of flexibility and variety each day, which many find appealing.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Independence and variety in daily work.
The satisfaction of meeting delivery targets and customer interaction.
Opportunities for overtime and flexible schedules.
The physical aspect of the job, keeping drivers active.

You might make a good Delivery Driver if you are...

Comfortable spending long hours on the road.
Good at time management and navigation.
Physically capable of handling packages and cargo.
Enjoying working independently.
Skilled in customer service and communication.

Pros:

Independence and flexibility in daily routines.
Opportunities for additional earnings through overtime.
Low barrier to entry in terms of education.

Cons:

Potential for long and irregular hours.
Physical demands of loading and unloading.
Stress of meeting tight delivery schedules.

How to become a Delivery Driver

Typical education

A high school diploma or equivalent is often sufficient. Delivery drivers must hold a valid provincial driver's licence appropriate to the type of vehicle being operated. Most positions involve employer-provided on-the-job training in delivery procedures, route planning, and safety. Higher licence classes may be required for larger vehicles, depending on provincial regulations.

High school preparation

Courses:

Automotive classes for basic vehicle maintenance knowledge.
Physical education for physical fitness.
Geography for navigation skills.
Business classes for understanding customer service.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Join driving or logistics clubs.
Volunteer in community services requiring transportation.
Seek part-time work in delivery or logistics roles.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a valid provincial driver's licence appropriate to the vehicle being operated (most delivery roles require a standard Class 5/G licence; larger vehicles may require a higher class depending on province).
Complete employer-provided on-the-job training in delivery procedures, route planning, and vehicle operation.
Take short courses or employer training in customer service, navigation technology, and electronic delivery systems.
Obtain basic safety certifications, such as first aid or defensive driving, which are often preferred by employers.

More resources

American Trucking Associations (ATA) - Offers resources and information for those in the trucking and delivery industry.
Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) - Provides information on obtaining a CDL and a career in commercial driving.
National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) - Provides training and resources for small truck and delivery businesses.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.