Courier
Collect packages and letters using a van, motorbike or bike. Deliver the items as quickly as possible.
Also known as: messenger, dispatch rider
About the job
Salary
Source: LMI for All
Weekly
£490
Average
Monthly
£2,123
Average
Yearly
£25,480
Average
8,300
people are currently employed
Low growth
200 fewer jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would collect packages, documents and letters from customers and use a van, motorbike or bike to deliver them quickly and reliably.
Most of your work would be for businesses which need to send something to another business or to a customer. The parcel may be urgently required or it may contain confidential documents that cannot be posted.
The package would probably need to be delivered as soon as possible after you pick it up.
You’d usually work in and around large towns and cities. But you could also work on cross-country deliveries.
You would:
Collect a schedule of pick-up points and deliveries from your depot
Plan routes and sort the jobs into order for dropping off the items
Find the quickest routes to delivery addresses
Sign for the packages that you pick up and get signatures when you deliver them
Keep paperwork and delivery records up to date
You’d usually drive a van or ride a motorcycle, but in larger cities you might work as a bicycle courier.
Hours
Travel
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
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Transport
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- resourceful
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
- time management
- reliable
- positive attitude
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
No formal qualifications are required but most employers will value a good general education with English and maths. Some employers will ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate employability skills such as good time keeping and physical fitness.
A driving licence will be essential for some jobs.
You may need your own car, van, motorcycle or bicycle.
You may need to pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check for some jobs.
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