UPS driver salary: how much does a UPS driver make?
A full-time UPS package car driver at top rate earns $46.75 an hour from August 1, 2026, rising to $49.00 on August 1, 2027, under the 2023–2028 Teamsters contract. That's about $97,240 a year at 40 hours before overtime. New drivers progress from $24 (one year) and $25 (two years) to $30.75 (three years) before reaching top rate at four years.
UPS driver pay calculator
Progression rates in the national agreement; top rates can vary by local supplement or rider. Gross pay before taxes and union dues.
UPS driver top rate by year
| Effective date | Top rate per hour | Yearly at 2,080 hours |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2024 | $45.00 | $93,600 |
| August 1, 2025 | $45.75 | $95,160 |
| August 1, 2026 | $46.75 | $97,240 |
| August 1, 2027 | $49.00 | $101,920 |
The contract's general raises are $2.75 (2023), $0.75 (2024), $0.75 (2025), $1.00 (2026) and $2.25 (2027) an hour, $7.50 in total. The Teamsters put the average full-time driver top rate at $49 an hour by 2027.
New UPS driver progression
| Seniority as a regular package car driver | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $24.00 |
| 2 years | $25.00 |
| 3 years | $30.75 |
| 4 years | Top rate |
Drivers in progression also receive the general increase each August 1 and are paid whichever rate is higher. The 2023 agreement abolished the lower-paid 22.4 combination job, moving those drivers to the regular package car driver rate, and added Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday.
UPS driver vs. other driving jobs
| Job (BLS May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $40,140 | $58,640 | $79,380 |
| Postal Service mail carriers | $42,390 | $60,550 | $81,040 |
A top-rate UPS driver's base pay at 40 hours, $97,240, is well above the BLS median for truck drivers ($58,640) and mail carriers ($60,550), before overtime.
UPS Driver take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a UPS driver make an hour?
$46.75 an hour at top rate from August 1, 2026, and $49.00 from August 1, 2027.
How much does a UPS driver make a year?
About $97,240 at top rate for 40 hours a week before overtime; overtime adds more.
How long does it take a UPS driver to reach top rate?
Four years: $24 after one year, $25 after two, $30.75 after three, then top rate.
Do UPS drivers get raises every year?
Yes. General increases take effect each August 1: $1.00 in 2026 and $2.25 in 2027.
Are top rates the same everywhere?
Mostly, but some local supplements and riders set different rates.
Sources
- TDU: UPS Tentative Agreement Q&A for RPCDs
- Teamsters: UPS tentative agreement highlights (2023)
- BLS: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Contract rates are for full-time regular package car drivers under the national agreement; check your local supplement or rider. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.