Fax machines and E-mail allow organizations and companies to communicate electronically, but many important documents and items cannot be sent over wires. Delivery drivers or couriers are messengers who deliver and transport documents and physical objects, often within a local region. Couriers may use cars, bicycles, may walk on foot or public transportation. Becoming a delivery driver does not require formal education, but a good driving record and a state driver’s license are often needed.
Job Description
Public offices and private companies often have urgent need to transport documents faster than the traditional mail delivery system allows or outside of regular mail service timings. This need creates demand for delivery service businesses. Delivery drivers may work for organizations or run their own firms, delivering packages and documents for various types of clients.
Educational Requirements
Formal education requirements aren’t typical, though many delivery services prefer to hire employees with a minimum of a high school diploma. Couriers usually receive 1 or 2 weeks of on-the-job training, which involves training under an experienced worker. Along with a means to get around, or a vehicle, a delivery driver, usually needs strong directional and mapping abilities, time-management, excellent customer service skills to interact well with clients, and necessary bookkeeping abilities to record payments.
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Careers in the U.S:
Data from the BLS show that the average income of couriers and messengers was $29,690 in May 2019. This annual compensation estimate is based on an average pay of $15.21 per hour and 2,700 work per year. Workers in the top ten percent in terms of annual payments made more than $46,080, and workers in the bottom ten percent earned less than $20,990. Half of the workers in the profession earned between $24,760 and $36,570 per annum(1).
Top States
The BLS reports that Connecticut’s couriers led the nation, with $43,670 in average annual earnings in May 2019. Washington’s workers came in second with $36,640 in average annual earnings, followed by workers in Massachusetts at $36,450, and workers in California at $36,200. California employed the most delivery drivers of any state, followed by New York, where workers made $35,100 per annum.
Top Industries
A variety of businesses employs documents, packages, and message delivery workers, and their compensation can vary from one industry to the other. The BLS says that local messengers and delivery workers earned $32,380, on average, in May 2019, while workers employed by Couriers and Express Delivery Services made $32,240. Those employed by medical and diagnostic laboratories made $32,640, on average. On average, employees in the legal services business made $28,970, and workers employed by General Medical and Surgical Hospitals earned $30,720.
Careers in Europe:
An entry-level Delivery Driver with less than one year experience can expect to make an average total remuneration (includes bonus, tips, and overtime pay) of £8.20. An early career Delivery Driver with 1-5 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of £8.44. A mid-career Delivery Driver with 5-10 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of £8.73. An experienced Delivery Driver with 10-20 years of experience earns an average total remuneration of £8.92. In their late-career (20-plus years), employees make an average total compensation of £9.
Careers in Asia:
An early career Delivery Driver with 1-5 years of experience makes an average total remuneration (includes bonus, tips, and overtime pay) of S$15,800. A mid-career Delivery Driver with 5-10 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of S$12,000. An experienced Delivery Driver with 10-20 years of experience makes an average total remuneration of S$22,800.
Job Outlook
The ability to store and scan documents digitally and the rise of digital communication technology reduces the need to use delivery workers to deliver documents. On the other end, certain types of materials like blueprints and physical items require physical delivery. The BLS projects that total employment of couriers and messengers will increase thirteen percent from 2010 to 2020, which is about the same as the national average for all occupations. Career prospects are likely to be best for delivery drivers in medical delivery, according to the BLS.
