Delivery and Courier Service Drivers

(NOC 7514)

in All Trades and Transportation

Delivery and courier service drivers drive automobiles, vans and light trucks to pick up and deliver various products. Courier service drivers pick up envelopes and/or packages for quick delivery to a specific address. They are employed by dairies, drug stores, newspaper distributors, take-out food establishments, dry cleaners, mobile caterers, courier and messenger service companies and many other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate decline employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 75 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Estimate Decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 3400 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Delivery and Courier Service Drivers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.

The median employment income for 55% of Delivery and Courier Service Drivers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $35,298. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.00

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$27.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,083

Minimum

$26,500

Median

$57,673

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$20.35

Median

$34.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Delivery and courier service drivers perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate and drive automobiles, vans and light trucks to pick up and deliver various products, such as fast food, newspapers, magazines, bakery and dairy products, and items such as dry cleaning, envelopes, packages and parcels.
Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspection of vehicle.
Plan delivery travel schedules and service routes.
Load and unload cargo, goods or merchandise.
Provide customer service by selling products, delivering over established routes and accepting or making payments for goods.
Record information on pick-ups and deliveries, vehicle mileage and fuel costs and report any incidents or problems encountered.
May scan and sort freight or cargo for delivery.
May assemble, install or set-up delivered goods or merchandise.
May communicate with central dispatch using mobile communications equipment.

Sample job titles

courier driver
delivery driver
delivery salesperson
delivery truck driver
fast food delivery driver
newspaper delivery driver
route driver

Skills

You should enjoy driving and be able to function under minimal supervision. You must be alert, responsible, and self-motivated. An awareness of safety is important. You must also get along well with people, as drivers often deal directly with customers. For some jobs, you should be willing to drive long distances and for extended periods of time.

Job requirements

Completion of high school is usually required.
A driver's licence appropriate to the class of vehicle being driven is required.
One year of safe driving experience is usually required.
On-the-job training is provided.
Eligibility for bonding and transportation of dangerous goods (TGD) certification may be required for delivery and courier drivers.

Other considerations

Progression to supervisory positions or to non-driving jobs, such as driver trainer or dispatcher is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,840

employed in 2016

78.7%

employed full-time

9.2%

self employed

8.5%

91.5%

46.6

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

88.8%

employed full-time

12.7%

self employed

5.3%

94.7%

46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

44.6%

Halifax

16.6%

Annapolis Valley

16.4%

Northern

12.2%

Cape Breton

9.7%

Southern

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

34.0%

Transportation and Warehousing

25.3%

Retail Trade

11.4%

Wholesale Trade

9.8%

Accommodation and Food Services

7.9%

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

22.0%

45-54

20.2%

55-64

18.4%

35-44

17.5%

25-34

15.7%

15-24

5.8%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

34.1%

45-54

33.0%

35-44

18.7%

55-64

13.2%

25-34

Top levels of education

38.8%

High school

$11,076 median annual income

22.0%

Less than high school

$10,402 median annual income

17.5%

College certificate or diploma

$10,040 median annual income

14.1%

Trades certificate

$12,190 median annual income

4.7%

Bachelor's degree

$7,042 median annual income

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.4%

Trades certificate

$40,890 median annual income

25.5%

High school

$28,089 median annual income

22.6%

College certificate or diploma

$39,023 median annual income

18.2%

Less than high school

$25,753 median annual income

2.7%

Bachelor's degree

$36,972 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca