In the post-pandemic economy, more consumers than ever are opting to buy their goods online and have them delivered by mail instead of shopping in person. And while there are several major package-carrier companies that might assume custody of our precious cargo as it makes its journey from sender to recipient, few are as instantly recognizable as the United Parcel Service (UPS) -).
Known for their big brown trucks and matching brown uniforms, UPS delivery drivers are a frequent sight on America’s main streets and back roads alike. In fact, UPS delivered 5.2 billion packages in 2022 in the U.S. alone — more than competing logistics companies Amazon (4.8 billion) and FedEx (4.1 billion), and second only to the government’s own USPS, which delivered 6.7 billion packages that year.
With all that business, it’s no wonder UPS is always hiring drivers — especially seasonal drivers in the months leading up to important consumer holidays like Black Friday, Christmas, and Hanukkah. According to the company’s website, online applicants for seasonal jobs may have a $21–23 per-hour job offer in hand within 20 minutes of applying.
Ever wondered what it might be like to sit at the helm of one of those big brown trucks? If you’re nervous about sitting European-style, don’t be — UPS truck steering wheels are on the left side just like a typical American car (only USPS trucks have the driver’s seat on the right). Here’s everything else you need to know.
Related: Amazon delivery driver salary: How much they really make
How much do UPS package delivery drivers make?
The most common type of driver job offered by UPS is package delivery driver (seasonal or permanent). These are the drivers responsible for the last stage of package delivery, driving local routes and bringing packages from local distribution centers to their final destinations — homes and businesses. These positions usually do not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
According to UPS’ own job postings, almost every package delivery driver position nationwide, whether seasonal or long-term, starts at between $21 and $24 per hour. Starting wages seem to vary depending on location, but the vast majority of listed positions start at $23 an hour. On an annual basis, $23 per hour comes out to about $47,840 before taxes.
According to leading career website Indeed, the average hourly pay for UPS package delivery drivers across the entire U.S. is $24.40 per hour, while the highest reported salary listed is $40.30 per hour, which would come out to about $79,633 annually before taxes. It’s important to note, however, that the salaries listed on Indeed are self-reported and may not be current. Sample sizes may also be too small for averages to be meaningful.
Of course, as with most positions, driver pay can increase with experience. Driver raises tend to occur annually at UPS and can range from $0.25 to $1.00 per hour. If a UPS driver started at $23 per hour and earned a $0.50 raise after their first year, they would add about $1,040 to their pre-tax earnings their second year for a total salary of $48,880.
According to UPS’ own estimates, the average total annual compensation package for full-time local delivery drivers is worth around $145,000 (when benefits like paid vacation, sick time, pension, and employer-sponsored healthcare are added to base pay), implying that driver benefits packages could be worth around $97,000 per year. Granted, the actual value of certain types of benefits can be difficult to quantify, and cash is king, so this estimate should be taken with a grain of salt.
How much do UPS tractor-trailer (feeder) drivers make?
Tractor-trailer drivers, known within UPS as “feeder” drivers, are responsible for transporting packages and other cargo between intra-delivery sorting hubs, regional distribution centers, and other UPS facilities, occasionally delivering packages to their final destinations as well. These positions require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
According to Indeed, the average hourly wage for tractor-trailer drivers at UPS is around $31.24 (around $62,480 annually) with the highest reported hourly wage being $56.05 (around $112,100 annually).
UPS’ website estimates that, once benefits are added to base pay, feeder driver compensation averages around $162,000 per year.
How much do UPS long-haul drivers make?
UPS long-haul drivers (sometimes referred to as over-the-road or OTR drivers) work for about four to six days at a time, usually in pairs, driving larger tractor-trailers interstate over long distances before returning home. These positions require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
According to UPS, these positions pay the most, with compensation packages starting at $172,000 per year including benefits.
According to career website GlassDoor, the median base pay for long-haul drivers at UPS is around $60,194 per year, or $66,933 including stock awards.
Do UPS drivers get a benefits package?
UPS is well known for offering fairly robust benefits packages to all employees, whether part-time or full-time, seasonal or permanent, union or non-union. The union that represents UPS employees is known as the Teamsters, and Teamster-represented employees, according to UPS, are eligible for $0 healthcare premiums.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for benefits, part-time UPS employees must work 225 hours in a three-month period, while full-time employees must work 400 hours.
Healthcare
Eligible full-time and part-time UPS employees receive relatively broad healthcare coverage including medical, dental, vision, hearing, and behavioral health services. Full-time employees may also receive disability and life insurance coverage. Teamster-represented workers’ plans have $0 premiums and low-cost copays.
Time off
All UPS employees are eligible for some amount of paid vacation time, holidays, and option days. According to UPS’ website, paid vacation time increases with length of tenure; those who have been with the company for a year get a week annually, for instance, while those who have been with the company for over 30 years get seven weeks per year.
Retirement and pension
According to the company’s website, UPS contributes over $23,000 annually to each full-time employee’s pension plan. Part-timers are also eligible for pension plans, although the contribution amount is not specified.
Tuition assistance
UPS offers $25,000 in tuition reimbursement to its part-time employees through its “Earn & Learn” program, although this benefit may not be available in all locations.
Employee discounts
Eligible employees can also make discounted purchases through the company’s “SmartSavings Marketplace,” where discounts are offered in product categories including cell phone plans, travel (including car rentals, cruises, and hotels), entertainment (including movie theaters and theme parks), and vehicle insurance. Employees also receive discounted shipping services from the company itself.
Discounted stock
UPS employees can purchase the company’s stock at a discount, and certain employees may be eligible for bonuses paid in the form of company stock.
What are the requirements to become a UPS driver?
In order to work as a package delivery driver for UPS, a prospective employee must:
- Be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
- Hold a valid driver’s license (a CDL is only required for tractor-trailer and long-haul drivers)
- Pass a physical administered by the Department of Transportation
- Be able to lift 70+ pounds
- Be able to drive safely
- Have good customer-relations skills
- Be willing to wear the UPS uniform and abide by the company’s appearance guidelines
Barriers to entry
While delivery jobs with UPS are fairly accessible to many, there are certain barriers to entry that could make securing a job with the courier challenging for some. The requirement that most frequently dissuades prospective applicants is the ability to lift 70 pounds, as many individuals are physically or medically unable to do so. Additionally, the UPS delivery vehicles — even the smallest ones operated by package delivery drivers — can be somewhat unwieldy and difficult to operate for those without a wealth of driving experience.
What are a UPS driver’s responsibilities?
Package delivery drivers with UPS typically work 8 to 10 hours per day and may be scheduled any day but Sunday. Drivers typically begin their day at a local UPS facility before driving along a pre-determined route, delivering packages and interacting with customers as needed while wearing the company uniform (brown shirt, brown pants, and boots). Toward the end of a shift, a delivery driver may also be responsible for picking up additional packages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are answers to some of the most common questions prospective applicants have about driving jobs with UPS.
Does UPS pay better than USPS? FedEx? Amazon?
According to self-reported salary websites like GlassDoor and Indeed, UPS delivery driver jobs pay more, on average, than comparable jobs at competitor couriers like USPS, FedEx, and Amazon — and in some cases by a fairly significant margin.
Do you need a CDL to drive for UPS?
In most cases, a CDL is not required to work as a package delivery driver for UPS. A commercial license is, however, required to work as a tractor-trailer (feeder) driver or a long-haul (sleeper) driver for the company.
Can UPS drivers make 6 figures?
According to the company’s own website, most driver compensation packages are six figures once benefits are taken into account. In terms of base pay, most UPS drivers do not make six figures, although it is certainly possible to do so after a long tenure, especially as a tractor-trailer or long-haul driver.
Are UPS drivers getting a raise in 2023?
In August of 2023, Teamster-represented UPS workers ratified a new contract that includes a $2.75 per-hour wage increase for 2023 (this increase is included in the wage and salary estimates provided in this article). By the end of the contract’s five-year term, hourly pay will have increased by $7.50 in total.
