How Much Do Fedex Drivers Make in 2024? Salaries Revealed

Have you ever wondered how much those FedEx truck drivers make as they swiftly move packages to homes and businesses? With FedEx handling over 15 million shipments daily, driving is a critical job that keeps this delivery powerhouse moving.

So how much do FedEx drivers get paid? For 2024, the average FedEx driver salary is $65,107 per year, which breaks down to $16-$24 per hour. However, pay ranges considerably based on role, experience, location and cost of living.

In this extensive guide, we’ll cover all the specifics on FedEx driver wages including:

• Average salaries for FedEx Express, Ground, and Freight drivers
• Hourly pay rates and annual earnings
• Impact of location on driver pay
• Bonuses, benefits, and perks
• Requirements and qualifications
• How driver salaries at FedEx compare to UPS and Amazon

Plus plenty more details so you know exactly what to expect compensation-wise from a career behind the wheel at FedEx!

What is the Average Yearly Salary for FedEx Truck Drivers?

The average annual salary for a FedEx Ground truck driver in the United States is $65,107 per year according to 2024 salary data.

When broken down to hourly wages, pay for FedEx drivers typically ranges from $14 to $31 per hour. However, the national average hourly rate is $16-$24 based on January 2024 salary information.

Location also impacts FedEx driver salary averages in a major way. Densely populated urban areas with higher costs of living tend to offer increased compensation.

For example, while the overall U.S. national wage average is $16-$24 per hour, drivers in expensive cities like New York and San Francisco average around $19 to $20 per hour.

Higher wages account for greater demand, the challenges of rushing packages around congested streets, and elevated living expenses in major metropolitan zones.

How Much Do FedEx Express Delivery Drivers Earn?

FedEx Express handles urgent package deliveries within 1-2 days, both nationally and globally. Express drivers quickly move time-sensitive medical supplies, important business documents, and critical ecommerce orders with swift precision.

FedEx Express delivery drivers usually start between $18-25 per hour depending on their geographic region within the U.S. Drivers operating in more crowded urban regions typically earn starting wages at the higher end of this range.

With sustained experience over multiple years on the job, longtime FedEx Express drivers can eventually earn upwards of $30 per hour or more. Their depth of knowledge navigating delivery routes translates into increased compensation.

Because Express drivers are direct FedEx employees, they also get to take advantage of the company’s strong employee benefits package:

• Health insurance covering medical, dental and vision
• 401k retirement planning with employer contribution matching
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 per year
• Paid time off accrued based on hours worked
• Significant travel discounts on hotels, rental cars and airfare

In addition to quality health benefits and retirement saving contributions, FedEx also assists drivers seeking to further their education. And who wouldn’t want fabulous shipping discounts as well as travel deals from a global transportation titan?

How Much Does FedEx Pay Their Freight Truck Drivers?

The FedEx Freight division transports heavier bulk cargo and freight between logistics hubs and delivery stations using larger trucks. Consequently, the majority of FedEx Freight trucks require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate legally and safely.

According to January 2024 salary figures, FedEx Freight drivers earn approximately $29.24 per hour on average. Total annual compensation ranges from $41,000 to $71,000 for city drivers.

FedEx Freight also employs long-haul drivers who are paid per mile. While pay per mile varies route to route, experienced over-the-road drivers report averages between $0.60 to $0.80 per mile.

For limited-mileage FedEx Freight drivers operating strictly in urban zones, wages can climb even higher due to the expertise needed to maneuver bulky 24-foot and larger box trucks in congested areas.

In addition, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) drivers managing multi-stop freight consolidations using tractor trailers earn in excess of $75,000 per year — demonstrating how driver wages at FedEx scale up based on specialization and skills.

How Much do FedEx Ground Drivers Make Annually?

Unlike FedEx Express and Freight drivers who are direct company employees, FedEx Ground contractors work for independently-owned third-party courier companies contracted under the FedEx Ground network.

Due to this varying structure, compensation and benefits for FedEx Ground delivery drivers fluctuate substantially depending on the policies of their specific locally-owned employer.

However, according to 2024 salary data aggregated from employer job listings and user-reported wages, the average yearly salary for FedEx Ground drivers checks in around $53,620 per year.

When divided across 52 weeks, this equales approximately $25 per hour. While some contractors may pay hourly while others compensate per delivery, this national wage average provides a general expectation.

As with other transportation companies, employer-provided benefits tend to be more restricted for FedEx contractors compared to salaried employees. Health insurance, retirement saving plans, and education support are offered inconsistently depending on the third-party operator.

However, equipment like delivery vehicles and uniforms are normally covered work-related expenses for Ground drivers. For contractors who would otherwise need to supply their own rigs and clothes, this allows them to focus their own funds on fuel and living costs instead.

What are the Core Job Requirements for FedEx Delivery Drivers?

While specific eligibility standards vary across Express, Ground, and Freight branches, most FedEx delivery driver jobs mandate:

• Clean driving record with no DUI charges or traffic violations
• Ability to safely lift packages up to 50 pounds
• Passing criminal background checks and drug screening

For operating larger trucks, FedEx Freight drivers need to obtain specialized commercial driver’s license (CDL) certification. Depending on the size vehicle and cargo type, additional hazardous material handling credentials may be required as well.

FedEx Express drivers can deliver in standard company box trucks without needing a CDL. However, all drivers must undergo extensive behind-the-wheel training upon hiring to learn FedEx transportation procedures.

Meeting these baseline eligibility criteria combined with displaying responsible driving abilities are key for getting hired on as a delivery driver across FedEx’s wide-ranging courier services targeting everything from envelopes to heavy freight.

How Do Salaries for FedEx Drivers Compare to UPS and Amazon?

FedEx competes for shipping customers along with global delivery giants like:

• UPS (United Parcel Service)
• Amazon Flex network

So how does compensation stack up for behind-the-wheel jobs across these major industry rivals?

According to Glassdoor data, UPS drivers earn slightly better starting wages averaging $21 per hour versus $18 to $20 per hour at FedEx for entry-level drivers right out of training.

However, FedEx driver salaries scale up more substantially based on years on the job, route knowledge, safety record, and other performance metrics. Seasoned drivers at both companies can potentially earn upwards of $30 per hour or equivalent to $65,000+ annually.

Most Amazon Flex drivers handle small sedans and vans owned by Amazon delivery partners. As independent contractors similar to FedEx Ground drivers, Amazon contractors earn around $20 per hour on average. But there is no option for higher long-term wages based on tenure.

Overall, compensation for delivery drivers is similar across the “big three” shipping carriers. But FedEx and UPS tend to open more room for earning potential increases over years of employment. Still hungry to learn more? Let’s jump into a lightning round of frequent questions on FedEx driver salaries!

Frequently Asked Questions About FedEx Driver Salaries

Still have questions on earnings potential behind the wheel at FedEx? Here are rapidfire answers to some of the most common questions on FedEx salaries for delivery drivers:

How Do You Get Paid as a FedEx Driver?

• FedEx drivers receive paychecks issued either weekly or bi-weekly
• Compensation is typically calculated using hourly wage rates
• Drivers willing to work additional peak season shifts and overtime can scale up earnings

What is The Lowest FedEx Driver Pay Rate?

• FedEx driver compensation ranges from around $13 per hour for very entry-level employees and contractors
• With sustained safe driving and not missing days, yearly wage increases are common

How Many Hours Per Week Do FedEx Drivers Work?

• Typical full-time driver schedules are 40 hours per week
• The legal maximums drivers can be on duty are 14 hours daily and 70 hours weekly
• Between overnight and peak surge weeks, overtime and 55+ hour schedules are common

Do You Need a Special License to Drive For FedEx?

• FedEx Express drivers can operate company delivery vans without needing a commercial driver’s license
• Larger FedEx Freight trucks and tractor trailers require a valid CDL license to drive legally
• Getting a CDL involves passing extensive exam and behind-the-wheel testing to certify safe operation

How Much Paid Time Off Do FedEx Drivers Get?

• Full-time FedEx drivers accrue paid vacation days based on hours logged each week
• After 1-4 years with FedEx, drivers earn approximately 2 weeks of PTO
• Tenure milestones of 4 years and 10 years equal 3 and 5 weeks of annual paid time off

Do FedEx Drivers Get Free Shipping?

• Active FedEx employees receive significant discounts up to 75% off FedEx shipping services
• Retiree discounts are also available for longtime employees no longer working
• These deep FedEx employee shipping discounts can yield huge savings on personal package shipments

Can You Make Over $100,000 Per Year as a FedEx Driver?

• Most FedEx drivers earn between $30,000 to $65,000 per year based on average wage rates
• However, highly experienced drivers in major markets can potentially crack $100,000+ in total compensation
• Top earners optimize hours while minimizing costs using every mile deduction and tax advantage

Conclusion

With over 650,000 employees globally, FedEx continues relying on safe and skillful drivers to keep packages flowing on time around the world. Whether covering local daily routes or tackling long hauls of heavy freight, FedEx delivery jobs pay decent wages.

For 2024 in the United States, driver salaries average $65,107 per year, which equals just shy of $17 per hour. However, longtime drivers can potentially earn $30 per hour or more based on specialization and location in costly big cities.

While compensation ranges widely across branches and contractors, FedEx continues providing drivers opportunities to grow earnings year after year through service, safety, reliability and hard work ethic.

So for those looking for the freedom of the open road while earning a steady paycheck, behind-the-wheel jobs at FedEx present attractive options worth accelerating.