Like, way better. Last year I made $57,800 as a full time delivery driver—that broke down to $25.68/hr. The most hours I worked in a full week was 51 (by choice) and the least was 38. I took 17 days off work unpaid (no PTO). I work four days per week, usually three 12’s and an 8. I get health, dental, and vision insurance for $73 per paycheck. I worked the delivery job part-time through undergrad and grad school and switched to full time in 2016 after quitting my “real” job.
Here’s the pay breakdown:
-Split hourly wage of $11.15/$8.00, meaning when I am in-store I make the state min, and when I’m clocked out on a delivery I make a tipped wage. Overtime is 1.5x the in-store wage (no split).
-Untaxed mileage reimbursement (currently 41¢ per mile—varies slightly with the price of gas)
-Tips account for ~50% of income
I work in a very safe area in a suburb of a mid-sized midwestern city, a good mix of families and young professionals, white collar and blue collar, apartments and single-family homes. We don’t deliver to any hospitals, hotels, or college campuses—it’s strictly residential with a spattering of retail businesses. We’re also a high volume store, I’ve heard it’s the 4th busiest in the state but don’t quote me on that. Average $30k in sales per week. That’s is to say, your results may vary.
Yes, there are additional expenses like more frequent car maintenance and fuel costs—but really it’s negligible. My little Honda gets 37mpg and will last for years to come. The car payment itself is not additional as I would need a car regardless.
I have a BA in psychology and a MA in Counseling. When I worked in the mental health field in 2015-16 as a Master’s level professional, I was paid a $34,200 salary (no overtime) working 45-50 hour weeks with an hour commute each way. After taxes and deductions, my checks were $984 every two weeks. The work was emotionally exhausting, and I still kept my Friday night delivery shift to help make ends meet—meaning up to 58 hours total for just over $40k. I was burned out beyond recognition. The final straw came when my supervisor was promoted and they posted her job—$41k to be at the office/in the field from 8-6, and on call until 8. Fuck. That.
I am so much happier and mentally stable in my current position. My partner and I bought a nice condo last year and took a couple trips together. With three days off, I have time to focus on hobbies (mine are hiking/outdoorsy stuff, nature photography, and cooking). My quality of life is good—I want for nothing. I could never have achieved this had I stayed in the mental health field, and that’s really sad because of how desperately those jobs are needed.
I’m not even sure why I’m writing this. It’s not to brag, or flex, but maybe just to say—do what works for you. Who gives a shit if the job is glamorous. Thank you for reading.