What is a courier driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A courier driver is an individual who transports packages and documents from one location to another. They may work for a courier company or be self-employed. Courier drivers are responsible for picking up items from clients, ensuring they are properly packaged, and delivering them to the correct destination. Courier drivers must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record. They also need strong navigational skills to find the most efficient routes to their destinations.

ScoreCourier DriverUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,137

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.2

Growth Rate 11%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.60%

Asian 6.16%

Black or African American 13.25%

Hispanic or Latino 19.42%

Unknown 5.75%

White 54.81%

Gender

female 22.43%

male 77.57%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress Level
7.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Courier Driver?

Pros

  • Flexible working hours

  • Independent work

  • No need for formal education or degree

  • Ability to keep physically active throughout the day

  • Growing demand for courier services due to e-commerce boom

Cons

  • Long and irregular working hours, including weekends and holidays

  • High risk of accidents and injuries while driving or handling packages

  • Exposure to harsh weather conditions

  • Stressful work environment, especially during peak delivery seasons

  • Low job security and lack of benefits or retirement plans for independent contractors

Courier Driver career paths

Key steps to become a courier driver

  1. Explore courier driver education requirements

    Most common courier driver degrees

    High School Diploma

    36.6 %

    Bachelor's

    23.9 %

    Associate

    20.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific courier driver skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients24.89%
    Cleanliness18.42%
    Customer Service8.16%
    Rehabilitation8.04%
    Delivery Service6.76%
  3. Complete relevant courier driver training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New courier drivers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a courier driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real courier driver resumes.
  4. Gain additional courier driver certifications

    Courier driver certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific courier driver certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for courier drivers include Commercial Driver License (CDL) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research courier driver duties and responsibilities

    • Hire and manage drivers who run the routes.
    • Serve as DHL supervisor for Atlanta route.
    • deliver mail to customers -comply with DHL regulations -make sure all deliveries are make in timely manner
    • Map quick and short ways of reaching delivery destination on the GPS or on regular maps.
  6. Prepare your courier driver resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your courier driver resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a courier driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Courier Driver Resume templates

    Build a professional Courier Driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Courier Driver resume.
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
    Courier Driver Resume
  7. Apply for courier driver jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a courier driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Courier Driver Job

Zippi

Are you a Courier Driver?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average courier driver salary

The average Courier Driver salary in the United States is $33,137 per year or $16 per hour. Courier driver salaries range between $25,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average Courier Driver Salary
$33,137 Yearly
$15.93 hourly

What Am I Worth?

Loading...
Loading...
salary-calculator

How do courier drivers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Courier Driver reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Flexible hours, you can kind of control your income, even travel to high demand areas (while traveling) to make bigger money. It’s just nice to be able to go almost anywhere and have an opportunity to make money.

Cons

The pay, benefits, and low tips.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2022
Pros

I get to be on the road. I also enjoy having to pick up at different locations.

Cons

Gas prices


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Cons

Cinema

Pros

Experience 8 year GCC county almost work driving responsibility passenger drop location and food delivery timing driving delivery I am work hope


Working as a Courier Driver? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs