UPS Drivers make HOW much????

Nurses General Nursing

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It has been broadcast all over the news in my area that UPS is hiring, and that the average UPS driver makes around $76,000 annually! :idea: That just totally makes me feel devalued as a nurse. I am not sure what the national averages for nurse salaries are right now, but I am pretty sure it is not that much. I mean, seriously, these people deliver packages (not to devalue them, I have known a few and they work exceptionally hard), but we nurses deliver babies, we keep people alive, we take care of children and the elderly. We are highly educated, knowledgeable, and the responsibility we hold is immense. If the UPS guy screws up, someone might not get their package delivered on time. If a nurse screws up, someone could die. I just cannot reconcile this in my head!!!!

When I first saw this my initial thought was "screw nursing, I'm going to drive the brown truck!" My next thought was, how sad that we are so seriously devalued. What will it take before people realize our value to society? Am I overreacting to this? What are your thoughts?

Again, I want to add that I do not want to sound like I am putting down UPS drivers or similar careers. They work hard and do a great job. It is just that in comparison to the responsibility that we nurses hold, it does not seem that the pay is in line. Not that they deserve less, it is that we deserve at least as much or more for the work that we do!!!

Specializes in ICU.

As a former driver/clerk/service manager for FedEx, I'd have to say that, yeah, the 76k thing is a little far fetched. The reason I say that is because the chief difference between a FedEx driver and a UPS driver is that UPS drivers are employees of the company - they receive an hourly wage. It's been a few years since I've been in the transportation industry, but last I checked the average UPS driver made around $15-$16 an hour.

Now, FedEx drivers might make that much in a year, but that's because they're contracted. They get paid per package delivered. In my terminal, there were small enterprises - one contracted driver could "employ" 3 or 4 route drivers to increase his/her delivery area and consequently, his/her package output.

But regardless of the pay, it's hard work. I ran a route for a contractor when I first started at FedEx and was up at 5am, at the terminal at 6am, loaded my own truck (unlike UPS, they've got package handlers to do that for them), and could be out delivering for 12-15 hours a day during peak (Christmas season). It's no small feat for a 5'4", 125 lbs woman to haul two 75 lbs boxes up a steep, narrow snow/ice covered driveway on a dolly because while you might make it to the door in your truck, you sure as **** wouldn't make it back down the drive with your truck intact :lol2:.

It has been broadcast all over the news in my area that UPS is hiring, and that the average UPS driver makes around $76,000 annually! :idea: That just totally makes me feel devalued as a nurse. I am not sure what the national averages for nurse salaries are right now, but I am pretty sure it is not that much. I mean, seriously, these people deliver packages (not to devalue them, I have known a few and they work exceptionally hard), but we nurses deliver babies, we keep people alive, we take care of children and the elderly. We are highly educated, knowledgeable, and the responsibility we hold is immense. If the UPS guy screws up, someone might not get their package delivered on time. If a nurse screws up, someone could die. I just cannot reconcile this in my head!!!!

When I first saw this my initial thought was "screw nursing, I'm going to drive the brown truck!" My next thought was, how sad that we are so seriously devalued. What will it take before people realize our value to society? Am I overreacting to this? What are your thoughts?

Again, I want to add that I do not want to sound like I am putting down on UPS drivers or similar careers. They work hard and do a great job. It is just that in comparison to the responsibility that we nurses hold, it does not seem that the pay is in line. Not that they deserve less, it is that we deserve at least as much or more for the work that we do!!!

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Specializes in NA- LTC and PCT in Hosp. (current).
As a former driver/clerk/service manager for FedEx, I'd have to say that, yeah, the 76k thing is a little far fetched. The reason I say that is because the chief difference between a FedEx driver and a UPS driver is that UPS drivers are employees of the company - they receive an hourly wage. It's been a few years since I've been in the transportation industry, but last I checked the average UPS driver made around $15-$16 an hour.

Now, FedEx drivers might make that much in a year, but that's because they're contracted. They get paid per package delivered. In my terminal, there were small enterprises - one contracted driver could "employ" 3 or 4 route drivers to increase his/her delivery area and consequently, his/her package output.

But regardless of the pay, it's hard work. I ran a route for a contractor when I first started at FedEx and was up at 5am, at the terminal at 6am, loaded my own truck (unlike UPS, they've got package handlers to do that for them), and could be out delivering for 12-15 hours a day during peak (Christmas season). It's no small feat for a 5'4", 125 lbs woman to haul two 75 lbs boxes up a steep, narrow snow/ice covered driveway on a dolly because while you might make it to the door in your truck, you sure as **** wouldn't make it back down the drive with your truck intact :lol2:.

It's entirely possible to make that amount of money, but it is determined upon which terminal you're employed out of and also the actual job you have (doubles or package routes). In terms of pay structures, FedEx and UPS are, like you alluded, truly apples and oranges. I did (and still do) hold a CDL-A with all the endorsements, bells, and whistles and I will affirm what triquee has said. It's not for the faint of heart doing any type of package delivery. If anyone reading lives in the northeast or in a major metro area, hopefully you can see what I mean. From the people flying in and out of your lane with inches to spare and you're in control of 80,000 lbs of truck...and let's not mention any precipitation that MAY be on the ground! LOL! Also, with everyone in a hurry it's always a guessing game as to what someone is going to do. AND then lets not get into the offloading...up hills, down hills, through the woods, and all without getting stuck. I could go on and on...point is: pay might be higher, but saying that nursing should get MORE just by virtue of the profession is a bit myopic in my point of view. Driving trucks is no less dangerous and it also has its level of professionalism as well. Like nursing, the country can't survive without trucks running up and down the highway. Like the poster after me has said, we should stand together to work on pay. However, like trucking there are many more companies and hospital corps that will say that nurses are expendable and many people will work for the pay that is listed and will not complain.

To sum up: there are many similarities between the necessity and time spent on the job with both trucking and nursing. BUT, to say that pay is outrageous and it's not the same industry would be closed-minded and severely unfair. Let's clean our house first with OUR own industry's failings and not blame them on a completely different one.

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First, I agree with other posters that although making $75K a year at UPS is possible, it takes many years and also even a bit of luck to get there. I certainly don't begrudge other WORKING class men and women the pay they get. If you want to be outraged at how much money someone makes look to the corporate thieves that run our country. There is no excellence there.

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Specializes in ICU.

Haha! Yeah, I got my truck stuck quite a few times thinking I could do the impossible when I couldn't. It's the worst feeling ever when you know you've got 100 stops worth of packages in the back and you can't move your vehicle. I had many Houdini moments, for sure....After the initial panic wore off, of course. :lol2:

And I agree that driving stress is real. It's like the morning/evening commute all....day....long. And unfortunately, delivery trucks aren't terribly maneuverable.

It's entirely possible to make that amount of money, but it is determined upon which terminal you're employed out of and also the actual job you have (doubles or package routes). In terms of pay structures, FedEx and UPS are, like you alluded, truly apples and oranges. I did (and still do) hold a CDL-A with all the endorsements, bells, and whistles and I will affirm what triquee has said. It's not for the faint of heart doing any type of package delivery. If anyone reading lives in the northeast or in a major metro area, hopefully you can see what I mean. From the people flying in and out of your lane with inches to spare and you're in control of 80,000 lbs of truck...and let's not mention any precipitation that MAY be on the ground! LOL! Also, with everyone in a hurry it's always a guessing game as to what someone is going to do. AND then lets not get into the offloading...up hills, down hills, through the woods, and all without getting stuck. I could go on and on...point is: pay might be higher, but saying that nursing should get MORE just by virtue of the profession is a bit myopic in my point of view. Driving trucks is no less dangerous and it also has its level of professionalism as well. Like nursing, the country can't survive without trucks running up and down the highway. Like the poster after me has said, we should stand together to work on pay. However, like trucking there are many more companies and hospital corps that will say that nurses are expendable and many people will work for the pay that is listed and will not complain.

To sum up: there are many similarities between the necessity and time spent on the job with both trucking and nursing. BUT, to say that pay is outrageous and it's not the same industry would be closed-minded and severely unfair. Let's clean our house first with OUR own industry's failings and not blame them on a completely different one.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

First year made 101k. Second year made 130k. So I don't know yet what ill make after year 3...... sorry and yes I'm hiring another nurse right now. I was also a manager after 3 months with 40 employees. Sorry for That too. Either way I'm happy being a nurse and would not give it up for ups.

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My boyfriend is a UPS driver and yes..he makes $70k per year, but I could never do that job and would never want to. Verizon call center agents in my area make $60k, but I wouldn't want to do that job either...such is life

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

Haha [i read the same thing... maybe I need a brown uniform! :) I already iron and have good customer service skills! ~Ivanna

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One has to remember, we're living in a society in which kids who can barely read are paid millions a year to throw inflated rubber balls through metal hoops. UPS drivers making 70K? God bless 'em. :yeah:

One thing I would agree with the OP with though; what idiot chose their uniform color? I mean, brown? Big time face-palm.

and on top of that brown bermuda shorts...:coollook:

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Please. This is reported by the same news outlets that report that nurses can make above 100K a year.

My sister drives for UPS, for about the last year. While she does have fabulous benefits, her actual salary is right at about 40K. Hardly 75K. Be discerning in your media consumption.

Nursese can make over 100K a year. I'm in Los Angeles, many make around $40-45/hour and it's around $50/hour in the bay area. You add that with overtime - I know some who are bringing home $120k easily - and they are under 30. It all depends on where you live and work. And while the cost of living in LA is expensive, it doesn't necessarily require this type of salary.

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If you want an outrage, google how much some of those basketball and baseball players make. Even the ones that aren't that good. :rolleyes: I don't include football because I find that a more dangerous sport than the other two.

At least UPS works year round through anykind of weather..

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I worked for UPS for 11yrs. I started part time and worked as a full time driver, I was a teamster so by contract everyone made the same hourly wage $28.00 an hour, this was several years ago. I quit (can u believe that in today's economy!) I went back to school for nursing in 2005. Now I work in ICU and make less as a new nurse of course than I did 7 years ago as a driver. It was a tough decision but the best decision I've made. Believe it or not UPS on an easy day was tougher than the hardest day of nursing, even days pt's code, pass away,ect. At ups drivers were fired constantly, if you were injured on the job...have a nice life-they wouldn't need you anymore,I remember a few drivers tried to sue for there jobs back but after a couple years they couldnt afford to, I had managers say/yell things I dont want to type including death threats, I could go on for days about. Sometimes its scary to see similarities in management styles of hospitals and UPS. I think both nurse and drivers are underpaid. Nursing is tough but I love it! Scrubs fit me better than those brown shorts anyway!:D

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

This should be no surprise. In non union areas nurses usually make about the same as factory workers and other time clock punchers. In my area of Wisconsin hospitals start nurses out about the same per hour as local factories start their new hires.

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