Who Earns What

How much does a delivery truck driver make?

US Light Truck Drivers
$44,860

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 know
This job$44,860
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $30,800 and $80,310
49 of 100
not many

How 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
Whole US$44,860
Alaska$57,190
District of Columbia$49,330
Washington$49,070
Minnesota$48,880
Colorado$48,410
Mississippi$38,140
South Carolina$37,680
Arkansas$37,080

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Kids' questions

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Who earns more?

In Japan, a delivery truck driver averages $29,903. Delivery truck driver salary in Japan

Data table and sources
Delivery truck driver pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$30,800$44,860$80,310about 983,000
States where delivery truck drivers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Alaska$57,190about 2,000
District of Columbia$49,330about 540
Washington$49,070about 23,000
Minnesota$48,880about 17,000
Colorado$48,410about 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

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Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY