Contract delivery jobs are a hot favorite among many who want to do a lucrative side gig. Being a contract driver, you’ll work under a contract that provides several benefits if you don’t want to be tied down by a permanent job.
But can you make a decent income?
How can you find contract delivery driver jobs?
What are the eligibility requirements to become an independent contractor for package delivery?
We answer all the questions in this article to help you make an informed decision. Below is a quick outline of what you can expect to learn in this guide. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What is a Contracted Driver?
A contract driver is someone who delivers packages but works independently and is hired on a contract basis with a company.
However, independent drivers do not always need to sign a contract before doing business with an organization. A verbal agreement will also suffice.
As a contract delivery driver, you’ll perform the same duties and are paid the same salary as a permanent employee. But the company doesn’t withhold tax from your income.
You can either do delivery or courier contract work. Delivery and courier drivers perform the same tasks, but the demand sets these two services apart.
Delivery drivers deliver packages within five to seven business days. Courier drivers offer same-day delivery, which requires faster services.
Benefits of Contract Delivery Driver Jobs
Below are several reasons why you should go for independent contractor driving jobs.
You Become Your Boss
An independent delivery driver contract offers you the flexibility to choose your work hours. So, it’s up to you whether you want to become a part-time driver or work full-time. Instead of working permanently for a company, you find and manage your tasks.
Widen Your Scope
Do you want to partner up with the biggest delivery service providers in the industry?
There are Amazon and FedEx independent contractor jobs available. Becoming a contract driver for a big corporation allows you to earn more.
Excellent Work-Life Balance
One of the significant benefits of contract delivery jobs is that you can effectively manage your time to balance your career and social life.
When you become an independent delivery driver, you decide on your schedule and how to manage your work.
Opportunities to Earn More Money
One of the reasons drivers choose to become independent is the amount of money they can make. Being an independent contractor delivery driver, you can earn more than the company’s in-house drivers because of your ability to choose how many deliveries you want to make in a day.
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Roles and Responsibilities of Contract Drivers
If you choose to become an independent delivery driver for an organization, you’ll transport packages for a certain period or deliver a certain number of packages.
You have to drive your vehicle, and you’ll be responsible for your fuel and maintenance costs. Here are additional responsibilities if you choose to become a contract delivery driver.
Ensure the Safety of Packages
Your reputation as a contract delivery driver is crucial if you want to continue working in this industry. Protecting your packages is an essential responsibility because it can ruin your credibility if items arrive damaged. As a delivery driver, you may have to transport:
- Documents
- Medicines
- Clothing
- Fragile items such as cups or vases
No matter what you’re transporting, there’s a risk of theft and damage. It’s your responsibility to ensure that all items in your vehicle are packed and packaged correctly to prevent damage and theft.
Delivering Packages on Time
Customers get frustrated if packages aren’t delivered on time. This is especially true if they’ve ordered a package as a gift for a loved one’s birthday or Christmas.
Contract carrier jobs require drivers to deliver packages on their scheduled date and time consistently. Additionally, drivers must communicate with organizations and customers if they can’t meet the delivery date due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather.
Signatures from Recipients
Delivering packages is not enough. You also need to collect proof of delivery to avoid any dispute. You need to collect their signatures or take photos of the deliveries as proof of delivery.
Eligibility Requirements to Become a Contract Driver
Before you decide to look for independent contract delivery jobs, there are specific requirements you must meet first.
The type of packages you deliver will depend on the vehicle you have. If you have a truck, you can deliver more oversized items. If you have a minivan, you can deliver only smaller packages.
The essential requirement to deliver packages is having a driver’s license (or a commercial driver’s license). This means you must be 18 years or older to deliver packages. For qualifications, you only need a high school diploma or a GED.
The education and requirements will vary depending on the type of goods you’re be transporting. For example, you must comply with specific safety laws when transporting chemicals or hazardous materials.
Skillset Requirements
Delivery contractor jobs require a specific set of skills to be successful. These include:
- Communication: As mentioned before, you’ll spend most of your time communicating with clients and the organization you have the contract with. You’re required to communicate professionally with all parties involved.
- Attention to detail: Since you’ll be dealing with many packages throughout the day, you must have strong attention to detail. This will help you keep track of your logs and deliveries.
- Resourcefulness: You’ll need to find resources to make your job easier. Additionally, you’ll need to know how to work with various apps such as route planner apps or devices such as scanners and digital loggers.
- Networking: To become a successful contract driver, you must expand your scope through networking. You open new opportunities to bring in leads and boost your profits when you network.
How Much Can Contract Drivers Make?
According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an independent contractor delivery driver is $39,631 in the U.S. The number may vary based on the job titles.
For example, independent courier contractors earn $46,047 annually. And independent truck drivers earn $56,668 per year.
Independent delivery drivers can earn up to $50 worth of tips per day on average with a regular income.
The salaries also vary based on the cities the drivers are based in. According to Indeed, San Francisco-based independent drivers earn $56.15 per hour. But Houston-based drivers make $46.35 per hour.
How to Find Contract Delivery Jobs?
You can find independent package delivery jobs on popular recruitment sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
When you become more experienced and build your reputation as a contract delivery driver, you can find work in more prominent companies such as FedEx and Amazon.
Let’s learn about different delivery contractor opportunities offered by the behemoths.
FedEx Independent Contractor Jobs
Below is a quick rundown of the several types of independent delivery jobs FedEx offers.
FedEx Ground Independent Contractor
A FedEx ground independent contractor requires you to transport packages across long-haul routes. You need a current CDL (commercial driver’s license) to apply for the jobs. Additionally, you should have at least a year of commercial driving experience and zero drug or alcohol records.
You need to create an account on the company’s website to work for FedEx Ground. You can then apply to several contract delivery jobs that suit your requirements.
Home Delivery Independent Contractor
As a home delivery independent contractor, you’ll deliver packages to residential areas. You’ll need a delivery van to transport parcels and have a CDL and a year of experience, and the ability to cross the Canadian border. You can find this type of contractor job on the FedEx career page.
Custom Critical Owner-Operator
To apply for Custom Critical Owner-Operator jobs, you must be 21 years or older and have a tractor-trailer or cargo van. The vehicle must be equipped with safety equipment such as:
- Fire extinguishers
- Mounted spare fuses
- Warning devices
- Reflective triangles
To apply for this job, you can fill out their contractor form. The form will also specify the criteria they’re looking for in candidates and the type of information needed to complete the application.
Learn how to become a FedEx driver.
Amazon Delivery Contractor Jobs
You can find Amazon independent contractor jobs through the company’s delivery service program and Amazon Flex.
The Amazon delivery service program is available in selected states such as:
- Texas
- Washington
- Ohio
- New York
- California
- Michigan
- Indiana
This contract delivery job allows you to grow your own independent delivery business through Amazon. However, you must have a fleet of at least 20 to 40 vans and liquid assets of $30,000.
On the other hand, Amazon Flex is easy to sign up for if you download the Flex app. You must be 21 years or older to apply. The benefit of this independent delivery job is that you get paid twice a week via direct deposit.
US Postal Service Independent Delivery Jobs
The United States postal service (USPS) offers several contract delivery jobs. The company processes and delivers over 167.3 million pieces of First-Class Mail each day, and they rely on contractors to get the job done. Simply fill out their application form and mail it to the local office. To apply, you must:
- Be 21 years or older
- Have a vehicle large enough to transport large volumes of mail
- Live in or next to a location where you’ll deliver mail
It may be challenging to get a quick response because applicants are placed on a waiting list. When your application is processed, you’ll be contacted about job opportunities in your location.
Essential Tools Contract Drivers Need Before Going out on the Road
There are several tools you’ll need to make your job easier, such as:
- Mobile phone: You’ll want a hands-free mobile device to communicate with customers or dispatchers. Your hands-free device ensures you always have eyes on the road.
- Route Optimization Software: You need a route optimizer to plan well-optimized routes to make on-time deliveries.
For example, the Route4Me route planner considers weather, traffic, roadblocks, and many more constraints while planning routes to ensure you never get stuck on the road. You just need to spend 30 seconds on route planning.
Plus, you’ll get voice-guided directions to have zero distractions and drive safely. It even offers an eSignature feature to help you collect signatures on your mobile device as electronic proof of delivery.
- Dash Cam: You may need a dashcam as an extra security feature in your vehicle. You can also use the dashcam as a form of proof of delivery.
- First aid kit: Accidents can happen when you’re on the road. Ensure you have a first aid kit handy for minor cuts and abrasions or medicine you may need if you have certain medical conditions.
- Ratchet straps: You may need to use ratchet straps and other tiedown accessories to secure your load, especially when transporting large items.
- Storage: You may need buckets or carts to place certain items in to keep them secure. Label these crates, so you know where all packages are when delivering goods.
Final Thoughts about Contract Delivery Jobs
Now that you have an idea about delivery contract jobs, you can use this guide to decide if this is the right career path. Contract delivery drivers earn a decent salary, giving them flexible working hours. It’s an ideal career if you’re a university student looking for extra income or an experienced driver who wants a better work-life balance.
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