SOC 9253 Elementary administration and service occupations

Delivery operatives Salary

Median salary £25,541 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £26,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For delivery operatives, £28,749 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -26% versus the national average. Experienced delivery operatives (top 25%) earn over £30,981.

About this role

Delivery operatives collect and deliver parcels, packages, food and other items to homes and businesses using vans, bikes or on foot. They manage delivery routes, obtain signatures, handle returns and ensure items arrive safely and on time.

Key responsibilities

Collecting and delivering parcels and packages to addresses
Planning and following delivery routes efficiently
Obtaining proof of delivery (signatures, photos)
Handling returns, failed deliveries and customer queries
Loading and unloading vehicles and maintaining delivery records

Qualifications and entry routes

A full driving licence is required for van-based roles. No formal qualifications are needed. Some employers require CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for larger vehicles.

Career outlook

Rapidly growing sector driven by e-commerce. High demand for delivery drivers, though gig economy employment models are common.

Key skills

Route navigation Time management Customer service Driving skills Physical fitness

Common industries

Parcel delivery (Amazon, DPD, Royal Mail, Evri)
Food delivery (Deliveroo, Just Eat)
Grocery delivery (Tesco, Ocado)
Document courier services
Pharmacy delivery

Data coverage

SOC code 9253

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 19,000

Median Salary

£25,541

Mean Salary

£24,895

Jobs (000s)

19k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £18,777Median: £25,541P75: £30,981

P10: £11kP25: £19kMedian: £26kP75: £31kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£11,369

0-2 years

Mid Level

£18,777

3-7 years

Senior

£30,981

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +173% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +24.0%Real growth: +0.3%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: -0.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£25,541

Full-time Only

£28,749

Full-time premium: +£3,208

Delivery operatives salary: common questions

How much do delivery operatives earn in the UK?

Delivery operatives earn a median of £28,749 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £18,777 and £30,981.

Is £28,749 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for delivery operatives?

Entry-level delivery operatives typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £18,777, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £11,369.

Have delivery operatives salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median delivery operatives pay has risen from £22,979 to £28,749 — +25% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for delivery operatives?

Male and female delivery operatives earn a similar median (£25,481), with no meaningful gap in 2025.

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