10+ Independent Contractor Delivery Jobs that Pay Well in 2024
One advantage of independent contractor delivery jobs is that they allow you to work on your own terms. As an independent contractor, you can manage your own schedule, earn good money, and enjoy freedom!
There has been a significant shift in the labor market in recent years – with a growing number of individuals opting for independent contractor delivery jobs.
According to a study done by ADP Research Institute, 72% of independent contractors said they chose contracting work over a traditional job.
In this article, you’d know everything about independent contractor delivery jobs – including the companies that are hiring, as well as the advantages and challenges associated with this path.
Therefore, without wasting time – let’s dive into it!
Best Independent Contractor Delivery Jobs
Below are various independent contractor delivery jobs you can apply for. However, note that the availability of specific delivery jobs may vary depending on your location and the demand in your area.
Food Delivery Driver
One of the best independent contractor delivery jobs is food delivery driver. There are many companies you can work for to deliver food to customers when an order is placed.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay of a food delivery driver in the United States is $18.78. Here are a few food delivery services you can work for:
1. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a super popular app for food delivery owned by Uber. They launched it in 2014, and now people in over 6,000 cities across 45 countries use it.
Requirements to work for Uber Eats
- Be at least 18 years old
- Own a car, bike, or scooter
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a vehicle insurance
- Pass a background check.
How Much Can You Earn With Uber Eats?
Expect between $8 and $12 per hour – excluding tips. Also, if you deliver during peak hours(7-9 am and 6-9 pm) you can earn more than expected.
If you’re interested, download the Uber Eats app right now on either AppStore or Google Play Store, and start delivering food to the doorsteps of customers for money.
I enjoy Uber Eats because drivers have the flexibility to pick when and where they want to make deliveries.
2. DoorDash
If you’re looking for a company to work for as an independent contractor, DoorDash is another alternative. This food delivery company serves customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. DoorDash was launched in 2013 and now works in over 5,000 cities – with more than 20 million users.
Requirements to work for DoorDash
- Be 18 years or older
- Own a car, scooter, or bike
- Have a valid driver’s license and a Social Security number(U.S. resident only)
- Pass a background check.
How Much Can You Earn With DoorDash?
You can earn $18 to $25 per hour as a dasher with DoorDash – excluding the tips you may receive from customers. Start working for DashDoor by downloading the app and signing up.
After you’ve been accepted, delivery gig opportunities in your vicinity will be sent to your smartphone – which you can check the exact location and how much you can earn.
3. Grubhub
Grubhub is another food delivery app that works in over 4,000 U.S. cities. If you want the flexibility to work on your own schedule, Grubhub is one company to work for.
Requirements to work for Grubhub
- You must be at least 19 years old
- Own a smartphone
- Have a car, bike, scooter, or motorbike
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to pass a criminal background check.
How Much Can You Earn With Grubhub?
Most delivery drivers make around $14 as an hourly wage with Grubhub. But that’s only for deliveries – don’t forget that there are tips to receive from customers.
However, you can increase your earnings by delivering alcohol(you must be 21+ years old), as well as large orders. Grubhub sends out payments on every Thursday to your bank account.
Package Courier
If you want to work as an independent contractor, you can also consider working as a package courier. There are big logistics companies that are willing to pay you a fixed hourly wage to deliver goods and packages to customers.
Package Courier jobs are amazing since you get to work flexible hours. Every company is different – but usually, you can choose to work full-time, part-time, or even on a gig basis.
In my opinion, this job offers an ideal opportunity for those seeking a flexible work schedule that deviates from traditional norms.
Now, let’s have a look at some of the best package couriers to work for.
4. FedEx Express
FedEx is a big package courier, and you can work for this company as delivering goods and packages safely to customers.
Requirements to work for FedEx
- Have at least a high school diploma
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to lift weights up to 50 lbs
- Be able to work while staying alert and ensuring your safety at all times.
How Much Can You Earn With FedEx?
Even at entry-level, you can get paid up to $21.62 per hour. Moreover, you can get benefits like health care, 401(k), flexible work schedules, and many others.
Also, it’s good to know that as a delivery driver for FedEx, you don’t have to own a van since you’ll be driving the company’s vehicles. The application process is seamless so apply right now and start working for FedEx.
5. DHL
DHL is one of the biggest logistics companies out there. With over 1.8 billion parcels delivered every year, you can work on your own terms as an independent contractor delivering packages and goods to the doorsteps of customers safely and on time.
Requirements to work for DHL
- Be 21 years or older
- Have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED
- Have a valid driver’s license(CDL preferred if you’ll be driving trucks and long-haul vehicles).
- Be able to lift weights up to 50 lbs.
How Much Can You Earn With DHL?
Expect to earn between $18 and $25 per hour working as a delivery driver for DHL. You also get to keep 100% of the tips you receive from customers. Similar to FedEx, you don’t have to own a vehicle since you’ll be driving vehicles of the company.
Grocery Delivery Driver
Becoming a grocery delivery driver is another way to work as an independent contractor. There are a few grocery delivery companies you can work for.
As a grocery delivery driver, your job is to pick up food or groceries from a nearby grocery store or warehouse – and get them delivered to customers.
The average yearly salary for this job is $35,799 – according to Salary.com. Below are some of the grocery delivery companies you can work for as an independent contractor.
6. Instacart
If you want to be your own boss, you can deliver groceries with Instacart. This grocery app was launched in 2012 – and currently works in over 6,000 cities across the U.S., and Canada.
Signing up for Instacart is easy, just download the app and complete the application. After you’ve been approved, gigs will be sent to your phone which you can accept or decline.
You’ll be picking up groceries at various stores including Fred Meyer, Costco, Aldi, Wegmans, Kroger, Meijer, and Albertson’s – just to mention a few.
Requirements to work for Instacart
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a U.S. work permit
- Own a car, bike, or scooter
- Have a smartphone
- Be able to lift weights up to 50 lbs.
How Much Can You Earn With Instacart?
Instacart delivery drivers earn between $17 and $24 per hour. They even make more if they work during peak hours and weekends. On top of that, they get to keep 100% of their tips.
If you want a non-traditional work schedule, apply and work for Instacart. With this app, you work on your own terms.
7. Shipt
You can also join Shipt as an independent contractor to deliver groceries to the doorsteps of customers and get paid. Shipt was actually launched in 2014 and got acquired by Target in 2017. As of 2023, it serves more than 5,000 cities and towns in the United States.
Requirements to work for Shipt
- You must be 18 years or older
- Own a car(1997 or newer)
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to lift weights up to 50 lbs
How Much Can You Earn With Shipt?
As a Shipt delivery driver or shopper, you can earn between $20 and $35 hourly. But the average is around $25 per hour. If you choose to work during peak hours or on weekends, you can earn above the average hourly pay.
One cool thing about Shipt is that it pays out every week. So after working hard, you can expect your paycheck sooner.
Furniture Delivery Driver
Another independent contractor job that pays well is furniture delivery driver. Besides the good money, this job is also very flexible since you’re able to set your own working schedules.
There are a few amazing companies you can partner with as an independent contractor. Here are they:
8. Wayfair
Wayfair is always hiring independent contractors to deliver goods to customers. This is a big company that has been around since 2002. As a delivery driver for Wayfair, you enjoy a flexible work schedule plus good pay.
Requirements to work for Wayfair
- You must be 21 years or older
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to lift weights up to 100 lbs
- Be eligible to work in your state
- You must be able to pass a background check.
How Much Can You Earn With Wayfair?
Wayfair’s average hourly rate is $18.65. Besides, the company has other cool benefits for its independent contractors such as:
- 401(k) with company match
- Health care benefits
- Paid time off
- Bi-weekly pay
- Referral bonus of $500 per hire
- Tuition reimbursement, etc.
9. Ashley HomeStore
Another company you can work for as an independent contractor is Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Ashley HomeStore has over 1,100 stores in 67 countries. While on the company’s website, you can complete the application and start working once you get approved.
Requirements to work for Ashley HomeStore
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid Class A CDL
- Be able to lift and carry heavy objects up to 50 lbs or more
- Must be able to work flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends.
How Much Can You Earn With Ashley HomeStore?
Ashley HomeStore’s delivery drivers earn $18 per hour on average. But there are ways to amplify your earnings such as making more deliveries per day or delivering in the evenings and weekends.
Similar to Wayfair, independent contractors also enjoy some cool benefits at Ashley HomeStore – including 401(k), tuition reimbursement, health coverage, time paid off, and so on.
Medical Supply Delivery Driver
A medical courier or medical supply delivery driver job is another independent contractor job that pays well. I’ve provided below some of the best companies that are partnering with independent contractors in the medical supply sector.
10. Dropoff
Dropoff has been around since 2014 – it’s one of the best medical courier companies that have flexible work schedules for workers. You’ll be able to work with your own vehicle whenever you feel like working.
Dropoff works with big brands like Labcorp, McKesson, Nomi Health, American Red Cross, etc. Apply to work for Dropoff but here are a few requirements to meet.
Requirements to work for Dropoff
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Own a vehicle
- Have a smartphone
- Have good customer service and communication skills.
How Much Can You Earn With Dropoff?
Expect between $15 and $24 per hour working as an independent contractor for Dropoff. But the good thing about Dropoff is that you’ll be paid per delivery. So once a delivery is complete, your pay is guaranteed immediately.
11. Diligent Delivery
Diligent Delivery Systems is a medical courier company headquartered in Houston, Texas. This is another company you can work for as an independent contractor. Your application can be completed online and the company will get back to you after approving your application.
Requirements to work for Diligent Delivery
- Must be 21 years or older
- Have a reliable vehicle
- Have a car insurance
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a smartphone.
How Much Can You Earn With Diligent Delivery?
Expect around $20 per hour working as a delivery driver for Diligent Delivery Systems. Of course, you can earn more than that if you decide to work evenings and weekends.
Other medical courier companies to work for as an independent contractor are:
Alcohol Delivery Driver
You can also pick up alcoholic beverages from stores or breweries and deliver them to customers. If you to work on your own terms, then working as an alcohol delivery driver is another option.
Here are some of the alcohol delivery companies that are hiring independent contractors at the moment.
12. Saucey
Saucey is a Los Angeles-based alcohol delivery service that was launched in 2013. The app pays delivery drivers to deliver alcohol to customers.
If you own a pickup truck, you have the opportunity to join Saucey and earn extra income during your free time. You’ll be delivering alcoholic beverages from various brands including Casamigos, Vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Budweiser.
Requirements to work for Saucey
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Own a vehicle
- Have a car insurance
- Must be okay with working at night.
How Much Can You Earn With Saucey?
The average hourly wage at Saucey is $18, according to Indeed. But the range is between $15 and $27 depending on the time of the day you complete deliveries. The good news is that delivery drivers also get to keep 100% of the tips they receive from customers.
Other alcohol delivery companies to work for as an independent contractor are:
Manuelo is an entrepreneur and a personal finance nerd. He is the founder of Dollars And Freedom. An expert in side hustles, online gigs, and everything about making money. His works have been featured on major financial publications, such as Business Insider, GoBankingRates, Investopedia, Entrepreneur, and more. When he’s not busy with his blog or writing for others, you’ll catch him hanging out with loved ones or reading books on stoicism and self-development.
