SOC 8214 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Delivery drivers and couriers Salary

Median salary £24,627 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £25,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For delivery drivers and couriers, £27,854 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -29% versus the national average. Experienced delivery drivers and couriers (top 25%) earn over £30,420.

About this role

Delivery drivers and couriers operate vehicles to transport goods, passengers or materials safely and efficiently. They follow traffic regulations, maintain their vehicles, manage delivery schedules and ensure the safe handling of their cargo or passengers.

Key responsibilities

Operating vehicles safely and in compliance with road traffic law
Planning routes and managing delivery or service schedules
Conducting vehicle checks and reporting defects
Loading, securing and unloading cargo where applicable
Maintaining accurate records (tachograph, delivery logs)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a valid driving licence for the vehicle category. LGV (Category C/C+E) or PCV (Category D) requires additional training, medical examination and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). ADR certification is needed for hazardous goods.

Career outlook

Significant driver shortage, particularly for LGV drivers. Improved pay and conditions are being offered across the logistics sector.

Key skills

Safe driving Route planning Vehicle maintenance awareness Time management Customer service

Common industries

Logistics and distribution
Public transport
Haulage
Passenger services
Construction

Data coverage

SOC code 8214

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 126,000

Median Salary

£24,627

Mean Salary

£23,701

Jobs (000s)

126k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £10kP25: £15kMedian: £25kP75: £30kP90: £37k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£9,995

0-2 years

Mid Level

£15,205

3-7 years

Senior

£30,420

8-15 years

Leadership

£37,167

15+ years

Potential career growth: +272% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +30.8%Real growth: +5.8%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 42.6%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£24,627

Full-time Only

£27,854

Full-time premium: +£3,227

Delivery drivers and couriers salary: common questions

How much do delivery drivers and couriers earn in the UK?

Delivery drivers and couriers earn a median of £27,854 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £15,205 and £30,420.

Is £27,854 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for delivery drivers and couriers?

Entry-level delivery drivers and couriers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £15,205, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £9,995.

How much do the highest-paid delivery drivers and couriers earn?

The best-paid 10% of delivery drivers and couriers earn over £37,167 a year, and the top 25% over £30,420 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have delivery drivers and couriers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median delivery drivers and couriers pay has risen from £21,639 to £27,854 — +29% in cash terms, or +4.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for delivery drivers and couriers?

Male delivery drivers and couriers earn a median £25,239 and female delivery drivers and couriers £14,496 — a gap of +43% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).