Driver/Sales Workers
SOC code 53-3031 · O*NET-SOC 53-3031.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Driver/Sales Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$38,770
a year
Hourly
$18.64
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$40,730
$19.58 per hour
Middle 50%
$30,200 – $49,000
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$22,590 – $59,980
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
409,180
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $22,590
- $10.86/hr
- 25th percentile
- $30,200
- $14.52/hr
- Median percentile
- $38,770
- $18.64/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,000
- $23.56/hr
- 90th percentile
- $59,980
- $28.84/hr
What does a driver/sales worker do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.
- Arrange merchandise and sales promotion displays or issue sales promotion materials to customers.
- Collect coins from vending machines, refill machines, and remove aged merchandise.
- 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.
How to become a driver/sales worker
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 64% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)64%
- Less than a High School Diploma36%
- Post-Secondary Certificate0%
Common questions
How much does a driver/sales worker earn?
The national median is $38,770 a year. The full range runs from $22,590 at the 10th percentile to $59,980 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a driver/sales worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Food Production3.6/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Transportation3.5/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Sales and Marketing3.0/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Persuasion.