Occupation · SOC 53-3031
Driver/Sales Workers
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.
Median wage
$37,130
$21,760–$59,730
Projected growth
+8.8%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,980
per year
Employed (US)
417,420
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceFood ProductionEnglish LanguageTransportationPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Project management softwareInventory management softwareMap creation softwareCommunications server softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.Inform regular customers of new products or services and price changes.Record sales or delivery information on daily sales or delivery record.Listen to and resolve customers' complaints regarding products or services.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.Arrange merchandise and sales promotion displays or issue sales promotion materials to customers.Collect coins from vending machines, refill machines, and remove aged merchandise.Write customer orders and sales contracts according to company guidelines.Review lists of dealers, customers, or station drops and load trucks.Sell food specialties, such as sandwiches and beverages, to office workers and patrons of sports events.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Delivery vehicle — operate under direct supervision along assigned routes in residential and commercial areas.Daily delivery records — complete basic sales and delivery logs using paper forms or entry-level software under supervisor guidance.Customer receipts — collect payment, make correct change, and issue receipts on a standard urban delivery route.Product inventory — count and verify load against a manifest before departing the distribution facility each shift.Customer complaints — listen to and escalate basic service issues to a supervisor during initial on-the-job training.New products and promotions — relay scripted information to regular customers as directed by a route manager.Delivery vehicle interior and food-dispensing equipment — perform basic cleaning tasks following a posted sanitation checklist.Route maps and stop sequences — read and follow pre-planned directions using printed maps or GPS navigation tools.Traffic laws and safety protocols — follow posted rules and company policies while operating a delivery truck in familiar zones.Transaction data — enter basic sales figures into a spreadsheet template at the end of each delivery shift.
developing
Assigned delivery route — complete all stops accurately and on time with minimal oversight across varying traffic conditions.Customer relationships — inform regular customers of new products, services, and price changes using confident verbal communication.Daily sales and delivery records — maintain accurate logs using inventory management software or route-tracking applications independently.Customer payment transactions — process cash, record totals, and balance daily receipts against inventory with consistent accuracy.Customer complaints and service issues — listen actively and resolve common product or delivery concerns on the spot without escalation.Vehicle and equipment maintenance — perform routine checks and cleaning of truck cab and food-dispensing units following scheduled maintenance intervals.Inventory levels on the truck — monitor stock throughout the shift and report shortages or overages to the dispatch team promptly.Route efficiency — adjust stop order within assigned territory to manage time effectively when delays or cancellations arise.Product knowledge — apply familiarity with food, beverage, or supply offerings to answer customer questions confidently during deliveries.Delivery and sales data — enter and retrieve records in a database interface to support accurate end-of-day reporting.
proficient
Full delivery route — execute independently across complex urban and suburban environments, adapting to road closures, weather, and customer changes.Customer retention and upselling — proactively communicate new offerings and tailored product recommendations to build long-term account loyalty.Complex customer complaints — diagnose root causes of recurring service or product issues and implement durable resolutions without supervisor involvement.Vehicle and food-dispensing equipment faults — identify mechanical or operational problems, perform permissible repairs, and coordinate service when needed.Sales and delivery performance — analyze daily and weekly records using spreadsheet or database tools to spot trends and correct discrepancies.Payment discrepancies and cash management — reconcile transaction records at shift's end and address irregularities using documented procedures.Route optimization — redesign stop sequences and timing strategies to maximize delivery volume and reduce fuel use across the full territory.Inventory forecasting — use historical sales data and customer patterns to anticipate load requirements and minimize both shortages and returns.Safety compliance — model and apply public safety and DOT regulations consistently, including vehicle inspection procedures and secure loading practices.Stakeholder communication — coordinate with dispatch, warehouse, and customer contacts to resolve logistical issues efficiently using available communications tools.
advanced
Route territory strategy — design and reallocate delivery routes across a multi-driver operation to improve efficiency and customer service outcomes.Driver team development — mentor and evaluate new driver/sales workers on safe vehicle operation, customer interaction, and accurate record-keeping.Customer service standards — establish complaint-resolution protocols and service benchmarks adopted across an entire regional delivery fleet.Sales performance program — develop incentive structures and coaching plans that increase per-route revenue and customer account retention.Fleet maintenance policy — create preventive maintenance schedules and equipment-cleaning standards for vehicles and dispensing units across a depot.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement inventory management, GPS routing, and data reporting tools to modernize delivery operations.Compliance and safety culture — lead safety training initiatives ensuring all drivers meet DOT, food handling, and public safety regulations.Operational reporting — synthesize multi-route sales, delivery, and incident data into management reports that inform budget and staffing decisions.Vendor and customer relationships — negotiate product pricing, delivery terms, and service agreements on behalf of the organization with key accounts.Workforce planning — forecast driver staffing needs, coordinate hiring with management, and ensure continuity of service across high-demand periods.
Also known as
87 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Milk Truck DriverIcemanDelivery PersonCoin CollectorRoute DelivererBobtailerExpressmanNewspaper Delivery DriverMotor Transport Operator (Army 88M)Milk DelivererCity RoutemanRoute Sales PersonCoal DelivererRoute SalespersonRoute Driver SalespersonDelivery ManRoute SalesmanCoin-Machine CollectorMotor Route CarrierMilk Delivery DriverLunch-Truck DriverDelivery SpecialistCity Route DriverGround Transportation Helper (Air Force 2T111)DSP Driver (Delivery Service Partner Driver)Catering DriverBakery DelivererTowel DistributorMilk Wagon DriverRestaurant Delivery DriverLaundry Route DriverSales DelivererPackage Delivery DriverNewspaper DelivererWagon Driver SalespersonRoute Sales DriverDriver, Sales RouteDelivery ExpertPick Up DriverIce Delivery Driver