State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Driver/Sales Worker Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Driver/Sales Workers earn a median of $38,770 per year ($18.64/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 8.8% through 2034, with about 51,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 53-3031Transportation and Material MovingLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $38,770
- Projected growth
- +8.8%
- Openings a year
- 51,300
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Delivery Man, Driver, Driver Salesman, Pizza Delivery Driver, Route Delivery Driver, Route Driver.
How much do Driver/Sales Workers make?
10th percentile$22,590
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$30,200
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$38,770
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$49,000
Upper quartile
90th percentile$59,980
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $38,770 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $18.64/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $40,730 |
| People employed | 409,180 |
Versus all US occupations
At $38,770, Driver/Sales Workers earn 24% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,210 a year.
Versus transportation and material moving occupations
Inside the Transportation and Material Moving group, where the middle occupation pays $58,405, this is 34% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $59,980 or more while the bottom 10% earn $22,590, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 9% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Alaska posts the highest raw median ($48,420), but once local prices are taken into account Iowa leads at $53,691 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Driver/Sales Workers the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $48,420 | $47,304 | 1,270 |
| Iowa | $47,120 | $53,691 | 4,400 |
| Massachusetts | $46,870 | $44,319 | 3,830 |
| Vermont | $46,300 | $47,265 | 510 |
| California | $45,600 | $41,185 | 34,480 |
| South Dakota | $45,050 | $50,855 | 1,050 |
| New Jersey | $44,720 | $41,101 | 9,720 |
| Colorado | $43,420 | $42,134 | 10,790 |
| Kansas | $43,180 | $47,942 | 1,950 |
| New York | $42,730 | $39,594 | 18,990 |
Is Driver/Sales Worker a growing career?
Driver/Sales Workers8.8%
All US occupations3.1%
+8.8% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Driver/Sales Workers to change 8.8% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.8× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 39,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 51,300 openings are projected each year, 11.4% of the 451,500 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued growth of e-commerce should increase the need for deliveries, which is expected to create jobs for light truck drivers. In addition, more of these workers will be needed as consumers increasingly demand faster and more convenient delivery services.
Growing demand for local delivery services also is expected to create jobs for driver/sales workers. The use of mobile ordering apps for groceries, takeout food, and other goods should increase demand for these workers to deliver purchases to consumers.
How to become a Driver/Sales Worker
You almost certainly do not need a commercial driver's licence for this job, and that is the most useful thing to know. BLS says all delivery drivers need a driver's licence and lists nothing else. A CDL is only triggered by the vehicle: 26,001 pounds or more, 16 or more passengers, or any size vehicle carrying placarded hazardous materials. But there is a second federal threshold, set 16,000 pounds lower, that catches a lot of route drivers: driving a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more in interstate commerce makes you a commercial motor vehicle driver under FMCSA rules, which brings a DOT medical examiner's certificate and a driver qualification file even though no CDL is involved.
The credential path, step by step
- Get a regular driver's licence and a clean record
BLS states that delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers must have a driver's licence from the state in which they work and have a clean driving record. A high school diploma or equivalent is typical, though BLS notes some opportunities exist for those without one.
- Work out which weight class your route vehicle falls into
Federal rules require a CDL only for a combination vehicle rated 26,001 pounds or more towing a unit over 10,000 pounds (Group A), a heavy straight vehicle rated 26,001 pounds or more (Group B), or a smaller vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver or used to transport placarded hazardous materials (Group C). Most step vans, box trucks and route vehicles used in driver/sales work fall below the 26,001 pound line and need no CDL.
- Get a DOT medical certificate if the truck is over 10,001 pounds
This is the threshold people miss. FMCSA defines a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce as a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, and federal rules require any person driving one to be medically examined and certified as physically qualified, with re-examination at least every 24 months. A driver on a mid-size box truck crossing a state line can therefore need a medical card, and their employer a driver qualification file on them, without any CDL requirement at all.
- Check for hazardous materials, which override the weight rules
A vehicle of any size used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding is a commercial motor vehicle under both the CDL rules and the wider safety regulations. That matters for route work carrying propane cylinders, industrial gases, fuel or certain chemicals, where a small truck can still require a CDL with the hazardous materials endorsement and the associated background check.
- Expect company training, not a course1 month or less of on-the-job training
BLS says companies train new delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers on the job in 1 month or less, which may include a driver-mentor riding along to confirm the driver can operate safely on crowded streets, plus company policies on dropoffs, returns, taking payment and damaged goods. Driver/sales workers additionally learn detailed product information and may be taught sales techniques such as how to approach new customers.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Only the ordinary driver's licence, and any CDL where the vehicle demands one, are state-issued. CDLs are issued to federal minimum standards so the vehicle groups, endorsement codes and weight thresholds are national while the manual, fees and testing arrangements are not. The federal medical certification and driver qualification requirements attached to vehicles over 10,001 pounds are uniform across states for interstate work; states apply their own, often similar, rules to purely intrastate operations, and some states set a lower minimum age for intrastate driving than the 21 required for interstate.
Who governs the credential
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — Defines when a driver needs a commercial driver's licence (the 26,001 pound, 16 passenger and placarded hazardous materials tests) and, separately and at a much lower threshold, when a driver of a vehicle over 10,001 pounds in interstate commerce must hold a medical examiner's certificate and be covered by a driver qualification file.
Credential detail for driver/sales workers is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- eCFR, 49 CFR 383.5 — Commercial motor vehicle definition for CDL purposes (Groups A, B and C) · checked August 23, 2026
- eCFR, 49 CFR 390.5 — Commercial motor vehicle definition for the safety regulations (10,001 pounds or more, or any size carrying placarded hazardous materials) · checked August 23, 2026
- eCFR, 49 CFR 391.45 — Persons who must be medically examined and certified · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter these occupations. However, some opportunities exist for those without a high school diploma. Workers undergo 1 month or less of on-the-job training. They must have a driver’s license from the state in which they work and have a clean driving record.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Little or no preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as driver/sales workers.
- High School Diploma64.0%
- Less than a High School Diploma35.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate0.4%
What does a Driver/Sales Worker do?
Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. They drive trucks weighing less than 26,001 pounds total for vehicle, passengers, and cargo. Delivery truck drivers usually transport merchandise from a distribution center to businesses and households.
Day-to-day tasks
- Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.
- Listen to and resolve customers' complaints regarding products or services.
- Record sales or delivery information on daily sales or delivery record.
- Inform regular customers of new products or services and price changes.
- Collect money from customers, make change, and record transactions on customer receipts.
- Maintain trucks and food-dispensing equipment and clean inside of machines that dispense food or beverages.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most drivers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Those who have regular routes sometimes must begin work very early in the morning or work late at night. For example, a driver who delivers bread to a deli every day must arrive before the deli opens. Drivers often work weekends and holidays, and their schedules may vary.
Where the work happens
- Outdoors in all weather at least weekly
Physical demands
- Regular bending or twisting
Working with people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where driver/sales workers work
| Wholesale trade | 22% |
|---|---|
| Retail trade | 10% |
| Self-employed workers | 7% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
- Active Learning2.8/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
Transferable skills
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Negotiation2.8/5
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Communications server software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Inventory management software
- Map creation software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Driver/Sales Worker?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary5.3
Investigative1.0
Artistic1.0
Social2.4
Enterprisingprimary3.7
Conventionalprimary4.7
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Driver/Sales Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Driver/Sales Workers make?
Driver/Sales Workers earn a median of $38,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 24% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $18.64/hr. The middle half earn between $30,200 and $49,000. The top 10% earn $59,980 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Driver/Sales Worker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Driver/Sales Workers. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 64.0% hold high school diploma.
Is Driver/Sales Worker a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.8% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 51,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Driver/Sales Worker do?
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. A core O*NET task: drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Driver/Sales Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Driver/Sales Workers are Alaska ($48,420), Iowa ($47,120), Massachusetts ($46,870) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Iowa moves to the top at $53,691.
What personality type suits a Driver/Sales Worker?
O*NET scores Driver/Sales Workers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
Do you need a license to work as a Driver/Sales Worker?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Only the ordinary driver's licence, and any CDL where the vehicle demands one, are state-issued. CDLs are issued to federal minimum standards so the vehicle groups, endorsement codes and weight thresholds are national while the manual, fees and testing arrangements are not. The federal medical certification and driver qualification requirements attached to vehicles over 10,001 pounds are uniform across states for interstate work; states apply their own, often similar, rules to purely intrastate operations, and some states set a lower minimum age for intrastate driving than the 21 required for interstate.