Driver/Sales Workers

SOC: 53-3031 O*NET: 53-3031.00
Median Salary
$37,130
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.8%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
51.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

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.

What does a Driver/Sales Workers 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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$21,760
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,120
25th percentile
Median
$37,130
50th percentile
Experienced
$47,590
75th percentile
Top Earners
$59,730
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$21,760
25th
$29,120
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,130
Mean: $39,670
75th
$47,590
90th
$59,730
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $37,970 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $29,120 and $47,590
  • Salary spread is 49.7% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 417,420 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:451,500

Top Industries

Food Services and Drinking Places44%
Restaurants and Other Eating Places43%
Wholesale Trade23.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+8.8%
Annual Openings:51,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)451,500
Current
2034 (Projected)491,300
+8.8%
+39,800
Employment Change
+8.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Driver/Sales Workers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
38,930 jobs$35,5801.04x
California
35,220 jobs$44,3700.72x
New York
23,860 jobs$40,9700.92x
Florida
23,270 jobs$36,3400.88x
Ohio
20,580 jobs$32,5001.38x
Pennsylvania
19,010 jobs$30,6801.17x
Illinois
18,560 jobs$36,2201.13x
Maryland
14,160 jobs$34,9601.90x
North Carolina
13,850 jobs$30,2101.04x
Georgia
12,910 jobs$32,9700.98x
Michigan
12,850 jobs$44,2001.08x
Indiana
12,110 jobs$35,6601.40x
New Jersey
11,700 jobs$37,4501.02x
Colorado
10,770 jobs$43,5601.38x
Arizona
10,020 jobs$38,9101.16x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Faster than average growth expected
  • High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
82%
#4
Service Orientation
74%
#5
Reading Comprehension
66%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
58%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
48%
#8
Time Management
40%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.1
82%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.9
58%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.4
48%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Speaking

advanced
Importance92%
skills
4.6/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

basic
Importance58%
skills
2.9/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Cooks, Private Household80%
5 shared skills
Customer Service Representatives80%
5 shared skills
Patient Representatives80%
5 shared skills
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks80%
5 shared skills
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan80%
5 shared skills
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners80%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Learn on the Job:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Service Orientation

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Driver/Sales Workers

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (8)
1

Collect money from customers, make change, and record transactions on customer receipts.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Listen to and resolve customers' complaints regarding products or services.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Inform regular customers of new products or services and price changes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Write customer orders and sales contracts according to company guidelines.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Collect coins from vending machines, refill machines, and remove aged merchandise.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Record sales or delivery information on daily sales or delivery record.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Review lists of dealers, customers, or station drops and load trucks.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Arrange merchandise and sales promotion displays or issue sales promotion materials to customers.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Maintain trucks and food-dispensing equipment and clean inside of machines that dispense food or beverages.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • 64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Driver/Sales Workers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Driver/Sales Workers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Driver/Sales Workers

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.65

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.27

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.20

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.16

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.07

Independence

Very Important

Independence

Importance Level4.04

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
Independence
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Attention to Detail
4.0
Concern for Others
3.8
Social Orientation
3.7

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

💼 Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Driver/Sales Workers.

Browse Training Programs →