How much does a delivery truck driver make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical delivery truck driver in the United States makes $44,860 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check the van and match parcels to a delivery list, then drive a route and carry boxes to homes or shops. Between stops, they follow directions, record deliveries, and contact customers or a dispatcher if plans change.
Did you know? Even though they drive for a living, U.S. light truck drivers spend nearly half their workday standing—often while loading or unloading deliveries.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $30,800 and $80,310How do you become one?
Most U.S. delivery drivers need a high-school diploma or GED, a state license, and a clean record; heavier vehicles may require a CDL. New hires must meet legal driving rules and usually get a month or less of on-the-job training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and useful skills can raise pay, and employers in delivery, retail, or other industries—and different locations—may pay differently. Hours matter too: some drivers work very early or late, weekends, or more than a standard week.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($57,190), lowest in Arkansas ($37,080).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Kids' questions
In Japan, a delivery truck driver averages $29,903. Delivery truck driver salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,800 | $44,860 | $80,310 | about 983,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,190 | about 2,000 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 | about 540 |
| Washington | $49,070 | about 23,000 |
| Minnesota | $48,880 | about 17,000 |
| Colorado | $48,410 | about 16,000 |
Official definition: Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle. Excludes “Couriers and Messengers” (43-5021) and “Driver/Sales Workers” (53-3031).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-dr
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-3033.00
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/light-truck-drivers.htm
- www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY