Being a gig worker can mean freedom and flexibility. Both are great reasons to start with on-demand food delivery gigs. Unfortunately, the stress and uncertainty that is a hallmark of the gig economy can also be part of the job. Living from gig to gig can be fine for a while but, as responsibilities mount, it’s not unnatural to crave the security that stable employment can bring. Not to mention the guaranteed wages, sick pay, insurance, paid leave, retirement, and other benefits that most traditional employees enjoy.

If you’re looking for a delivery career based on your food delivery experience, there are some viable options out there. Apart from physical fitness, a friendly demeanor, and a driver’s license, these jobs generally require a clean driving record, a high school diploma or equivalent degree, and some on-the-job training. Most positions are full-time, with timings dictated by job requirements. Some allow you to transition into sales or management roles with time. So, for those who enjoy driving and are looking for a long-term delivery career, read on to know more.

Top 5 Delivery Careers for Food Delivery Gig Drivers

Driver / Sales Workers

Some employers require drivers to do more than transport goods from one point to another. If you have the gift of the gab and enjoy interacting with customers, you might find this option appealing. This job combines delivering products with sales responsibilities such as bringing in new customers and promoting new products to existing ones along your delivery route. You may have to adhere to timelines for delivery and also do some heavy lifting. While some transport goods for wholesale or retail trading companies, others deliver takeout for restaurants and similar establishments. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for these workers was $25,860 in May 2019.

Light Truck Drivers

This job requires picking up goods from distribution centers or stores and dropping them off at businesses or homes based on an established schedule. Examples are transportation between warehouses, factories, airports, train stations, homes, offices, and stores. Most recruitments occur in wholesale and retail companies or courier and messenger services. Loading and unloading cargo can be physically demanding, as can stringent delivery schedules. On average, light truck drivers were paid $34,730 per year in May 2019.

Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers

As heavy and tractor-trailer drivers, long hauls are the norm, with few jobs requiring transportation of goods over local routes. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is mandatory, with those transporting hazardous materials requiring a hazardous materials (H) endorsement. Most drivers attend a professional truck driving school to hone their skills and learn about federal regulations. Being on the road for days or weeks is part of the job and means spending a considerable amount of time away from family. Because of safety concerns, the hours and time off are regulated by law. The job pays reasonably well, with the average driver drawing about $45,260 a year in May 2019.

Passenger Vehicle Drivers

School bus drivers, shuttle drivers and chauffeurs, taxi and ride-hailing drivers, transit and intercity bus drivers fall in this category. This classification means driving anything from cars to buses carrying over 100 passengers. Bus drivers require a CDL with a passenger (P) endorsement with an additional school bus (S) endorsement for school bus drivers. Work hours vary based on the job description. School drivers work when school is in session, taxi drivers have more flexibility, and intercity bus drivers work at all times of the day or night. The wages vary accordingly, with an annual average in May 2019 of $43,030 for transit and intercity bus drivers and $31,340 for the rest.

Postal Service Mail Carriers

As a postal service mail carrier, delivering mail to homes and businesses would be your primary responsibility apart from collecting postage money, selling postal products, and answering customer queries about services, among other things. Most postal service workers work on Saturdays, with some even working on Sundays. Postal service mail carriers earned an average of $51,310 per year in May 2019. With automation, however, jobs are expected to shrink by 14% between 2019 and 2029.

Conclusion

This list of delivery careers is by no means exhaustive, and there might be many more options available. While conventional employment has its perks, it can come with its own challenges. As a gig worker, this would mean giving up your independence and settling into a more controlled routine. If you’ve struggled with the unpredictability of the gig economy, some of these options might be worth a shot. And, if things don’t work out, you can always fall back on food delivery gigs. Who knows, the stability of a job might be what you’re looking for.