Should I Become a Courier?

If you have your own vehicle and are looking for a flexible, rewarding career, then a courier could be the perfect job for you. 

Independent couriers have the unique ability to set their own schedule, be their own boss, and earn a competitive income. Plus, there’s always a high demand for reliable couriers that can help businesses meet tight deadlines and exceed their customers’ expectations.  

To help you decide if a courier career is right for you, let’s take a look at what they do, how much they can make, the requirements for the job, and what the work environment is like.

What Are Couriers’ Duties and Responsibilities?

Couriers are responsible for ensuring fast, reliable, and personalized deliveries. Compared to traditional shipping methods, they offer quicker delivery times, improved handling, and the ability to adapt to unique delivery instructions.

Due to their unmatched speed and reliability, nearly every industry benefits from courier services. Some of the key industries that couriers serve include:

• Retail 
• Construction
• Manufacturing 
• Food and beverage
• Legal and finance
• Healthcare

Businesses rely on couriers to deliver everything from small, delicate items to large, oversized shipments. This includes a wide range of goods, from temperature-sensitive medical samples to last-minute construction materials.

No matter what they’re transporting, couriers are responsible for handling every delivery with extreme care. This involves using the right vehicle for the job and following all safety regulations, laws, and delivery instructions.

Read our related guide for an in-depth look at what a courier service is.

How Much Can Couriers Make?

The most significant factor that influences a courier’s pay is their employment type. Couriers that work for traditional services like FedEx and UPS are either paid salaries or by the hour. This means that regardless of how many deliveries are completed, they’re paid the same amount each hour.

Independent couriers that contract their services are paid per delivery. This amount is often determined by delivery distance, type of goods, and urgency. Unlike traditional couriers, independent couriers have the unique ability to maximize their earnings.

How Can Couriers Maximize Their Earnings?

Independent couriers can maximize their earnings by increasing delivery volume. To do this, couriers should optimize their routes so that pick-up locations are close to other drop-off locations. This strategy reduces deadhead miles, which are miles driven without carrying a delivery. 

Couriers can also increase their delivery volume by taking advantage of shipping platforms. Shipping platforms, like Open Road, take the guesswork out of finding deliveries by matching couriers with businesses that need them. 

Read our related article to discover how to find hotshot loads.

What Are Couriers’ Job Requirements?

Getting started as a courier is relatively easy, as it requires no formal education, minimal prior experience, and low startup costs. That being said, there are a few requirements that couriers must fulfill before they’re able to take their first delivery.

To get started as a courier, most employers require you to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have necessary vehicle insurance
• Pass a vehicle inspection

Depending on the goods you want to deliver, there may be additional requirements to become a courier. For example, you will need a CDL to carry loads exceeding 26,000 lbs., and you may need HAZMAT or HIPAA certifications to become a medical carrier. 

Read our related article to answer the question: Can you hotshot without a CDL?  

What Skills Do Couriers Need?

Although it may seem like a straightforward job, being a professional courier involves more than just driving from point A to point B. To build a successful career as a courier, there are several skills that drivers must have.  

Some of the most important skills that couriers must have include:

• Strong navigation skills
• Strong multitasking capabilities
• Excellent customer service
• Effective time management
• Keen attention to detail
• A clean driving record

Businesses and employers also look for couriers that are adaptable, professional, and dependable. By possessing these skills, couriers are able to keep up with the demands of the job and meet their client’s expectations for fast and reliable deliveries.   

What Does a Courier’s Work Environment Look Like?

A courier’s work environment can vary greatly depending on the type of goods they’re delivering. 

As a hotshot courier carrying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, you'll perform a decent amount of physical labor and spend a lot of time on the road. As a conventional courier carrying small packages, you’ll make frequent stops and spend much more time completing deliveries and getting in and out of your vehicle. 

One of the biggest benefits of becoming an independent courier is the unparalleled freedom and flexibility that it offers. Regardless of what type of goods you’re delivering, you’ll have the ability to make your own schedule, choose your own deliveries, and work as much (or as little) as you want. 

Read our related article to answer the question: Is hotshot trucking worth it?

Become a Courier for Open Road

Open Road is a shipping platform that connects independent couriers with businesses that need them. Our driver app makes it easy to sign up, claim a job, and start hauling. With Open Road, you can take charge of your schedule and be your own boss.

If you’re a hotshot courier that’s ready to haul LTL shipments, sign up today to join our team of Road Runners. If smaller deliveries are more your style, keep an eye out for exciting new opportunities coming later this year!