Pursue a new opportunity by taking a look at the best package delivery jobs for drivers in 2021!
Often regarded as an easy career path with decent pay and sufficient benefits, professional package delivery driving presents an excellent avenue for you to make a living.
With many companies now offering added job security and enticing incentives, right now might represent the best time to change careers.
The need for professional drivers continues to grow as new companies enter the market and more consumers shop online.
Working as a package delivery driver provides flexibility, allowing you to work either full-time or part-time.
If you can demonstrate the willingness to work hard and the ability to shoulder responsibility, you should have no trouble finding a good delivery company to take you on as an employee.
With good salaries, an often flexible schedule, and a workplace environment conducive to gaining valuable work experience, the package delivery business provides an ideal solution for individuals looking to earn well and start a family.
But, how would you know if the courier company you applied to represents the best employer in the industry?
Let’s look at the different types of delivery jobs before reviewing some of the best package delivery driver jobs for jobseekers.
Table Of Contents
What Are Package Delivery Jobs?
Package delivery jobs require you to collect items and make sure they reach their intended destinations.
From furniture to food, delivery drivers transport a wide range of parcels to the public, government agencies, and businesses.
Many companies require a delivery driver to work as part of their delivery teams.
The duties include ensuring the correct labeling of the item and safely delivering it to the proper address.
As a package delivery driver, your responsibilities include loading, transporting, and delivering the items to the client on time.
You will need to review orders before and after delivery.
Customer satisfaction always takes a front seat, and some companies require you to answer customer questions and handle complaints.
Depending on the type of package delivery service you will provide, you may need one or more of the following qualifications:
- High school diploma, General Educational Development (GED), or equivalent
- Clean driving record
- Valid driver’s license
- Familiarity with radio frequency (RF) equipment
Some of the most common benefits for package delivery drivers include health insurance, employee discounts, mileage reimbursements, paid time off, disability, and more.
Discover more information about package delivery jobs to prepare yourself before applying for a position.
While you qualify for some delivery jobs, you may find that you do not possess the required certifications or licenses for others.
Finding out what you need to advance your career allows you to create ambitious, attainable new goals.
Types of Package Delivery Jobs
The modern market provides a wide selection of package delivery openings for you to fill.
Courier companies employ different transportation methods based on the type of package delivered and the nature of the order.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the different kinds of package delivery jobs.
1. On-demand Package Delivery
An on-demand package delivery service ensures customers receive the items they want without having to leave their houses.
It requires customers to download an app and place their orders online.
This shared business economy model has quickly gained popularity, thanks to GPS and mobile technology.
As an on-demand package delivery driver, you will act as the bridge that connects the courier company to its customers.
The courier company accepts the customer’s order, and it falls to you to make sure the item reaches the customer safely.
You can also choose to work as little or as much as you want — a primary advantage of the shared economy business model.
2. Commercial Package Delivery
Commercial package delivery refers to any parcel sent to a business rather than a residence.
Companies expect commercial package delivery drivers to drop off parcels in a timely and professional manner.
A commercial package delivery driver’s job includes carrying packages, driving trucks, contacting customers, and reporting to managers.
Commercial package delivery drivers need to display above-average physical strength, a focus on customer service, excellent communication skills, and responsiveness to emergencies.
Prepare to work long hours and make sure you have a valid commercial driver’s license before you apply.
3. Exclusive Package Delivery
Exclusive package delivery companies pick up one order and provide private transport to the delivery destination without additional pickups or drop-offs.
They focus on the delivery of a single load.
Most moving companies represent a prime example of this type of delivery service because they offer exclusive delivery of your personal belongings.
Exclusive package delivery drivers need strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
This type of delivery service represents a fast-paced environment where you will need to stay at the top of your game to keep up.
It tests your reliability and your ability to handle pressure.
Your ability to work alone with remote assistance will help you move forward in your career.
4. High-value Package Delivery
High-value package delivery jobs deal with the transport of expensive items, like jewelry, fragile articles, fine art, medical equipment, electronics, and more.
This type of package delivery often provides end-to-end security for your items.
Most high-value package delivery providers offer insurance for each delivery item to protect against the loss of your valuables.
To apply for one of these jobs, you need to maintain a clean driver’s record and gain at least a few years of experience working for courier companies.
Drivers must pay extra attention to customer satisfaction because they often pay large amounts for safe delivery.
Some companies also offer incognito delivery services, which provide complete privacy throughout the delivery process.
How Much Can You Make Delivering Packages?
Package delivery drivers in the U.S. make more than enough to take care of their needs.
Based on collected data from several popular delivery sites, the average delivery driver’s salary in 2021 stands at $16.69 per hour.
This amount does not include the additional compensation of about $50 in daily tips.
Your earnings as a package delivery driver also depend on the city and state in which you work.
San Antonio, TX, offers the highest package delivery driver salaries, with an average of $20.46 per hour.
Package delivery drivers in Las Vegas, NV, make as much as $19.65 per hour on average.
Salary ranges depend on factors like education, certifications, experience, and additional skill sets.
Seniority plays a significant role in determining raises, benefits, and other perks, like choice of delivery vehicle.
Also, according to your location, your employer may pay your salary on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Companies Hiring for Package Delivery Jobs
The pandemic resulted in most consumers finding themselves forced to rely on package delivery services.
Mainstream logistics companies, like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, offer different package delivery services.
As the need for package delivery drivers continues to grow, we present a list of the best package delivery jobs for drivers in 2021.
1. On-demand Package Delivery
Some of the most popular on-demand package delivery companies include:
- United Parcel Services or UPS (with their UPS Personal Delivery Driver program)
- Uber Connect
- Postmates
- Dispatch Health
- Flexe
2. Commercial Package Delivery
Some of the best commercial package delivery companies include:
- Amazon Flex
- Uber Eats
- Senpex
- DoorDash
- Instacart Shopper
3. Exclusive Package Delivery
Some of the best exclusive package delivery companies in the U.S. include:
DHL Express
Aramex
Flat Export
TNT
SF Express
4. High-value Package Delivery
Some of the most popular, high-value delivery package companies include:
- DHL
- FedEx
- UPS
- United States Postal Service or USPS
- XPO
5. Full-time Package Delivery
Some of the best full-time package delivery companies include:
- UPS
- FedEx
- DHL
- XPO Logistics
- C.H. Robinson
Discover more companies hiring for parcel delivery jobs before deciding on the one for which you would like to work.
When choosing between companies, you should always consider the necessary equipment each company requires.
Some companies like Uber and Doordash require you to use your own smartphone and reliable vehicle, while others like UPS and Amazon Flex provide you with a cargo van and handheld technology to track your delivery route and delivery progress.
If the company does require you to drive your own vehicle, it is likely that you will also need to have your own auto insurance as well.
Make sure you meet the necessary requirements before pursuing a job with a particular company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about package delivery jobs?
Check out the frequently asked questions below to clarify yours!
What Is the Best-paying Delivery App?
As of 2021, some of the best-paying delivery apps include DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats, Instacart, and Grubhub.
Do I Know What’s Inside the Packages I’m Delivering?
No. Most package delivery companies send the packages in paper-padded envelopes.
As a package delivery worker, you can not know what’s inside the parcels because the company only lists the name, address, and the amount of money you need to collect.
Wrapping Up
As the pandemic prevents customers from heading outdoors to shop, customer demand for package delivery has skyrocketed.
In this time, finding a job working for a package delivery company can prove quite lucrative.
We hope this article helps you decide which of the best package delivery jobs for drivers in 2021 suits you best.
Are you interested in finding out more about Ridester and what we do?
Head over to our website at https://www.ridester.com and discover a whole new type of package delivery and transportation business today!
