If you're wondering how much Sysco drivers make, you're not alone! It's a common question for anyone considering a career in food service distribution, especially given the vital role these drivers play. Sysco, as a global leader in the industry, offers a competitive package, but understanding the nuances of their compensation requires a bit of a deep dive. Let's break down everything you need to know, from average salaries to the factors that can influence your earnings, and what it takes to land one of these roles.
Unpacking Sysco Driver Salaries: A Comprehensive Guide
Sysco drivers are the backbone of the company's operations, ensuring that restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other businesses receive their essential food and supply deliveries. This role is often physically demanding, requiring significant responsibility, and as such, it comes with a compensation structure designed to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Hit the Road? Understanding the Driver Role
Before we delve into the numbers, let's establish what a Sysco driver's job entails. This isn't just about driving a truck; it's a dynamic role that involves much more.
What Does a Sysco Driver Do?
A Sysco truck driver is responsible for safely and efficiently operating a tractor-trailer to deliver a wide variety of products, from fresh produce and meats to frozen foods and dry goods. This is typically a multi-drop delivery role, meaning drivers make several stops on their assigned routes. Key responsibilities include:
Manual Unloading/Delivery: This is a physically demanding aspect, as drivers frequently lift, push, and move products weighing anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds, and sometimes up to 100 pounds. They often use hand carts and stack/unstack pallets.
Customer Interaction: Sysco drivers build relationships with their customers, requiring a positive, friendly attitude and familiarity with customer operations to meet their specific needs.
Route Management: Delivering product within assigned schedules and time windows is crucial.
Paperwork and Compliance: This involves completing DOT logs (electronic or manual), company vehicle maintenance reports, verifying deliveries, and obtaining signatures.
Safety Adherence: Following all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and Sysco's safety protocols is paramount.
The Reality of the Job: It's Not Always Easy
While the pay can be attractive, it's important to understand the realities. Many Sysco drivers work early morning shifts, and overtime, weekends, and holidays are often required to meet customer demands. It's a job that demands physical stamina, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to customer service.
Step 2: Show Me the Money! Exploring Average Salaries
Now for the main event: how much do Sysco drivers make? The answer isn't a single, fixed number, as various factors influence earnings. However, we can look at averages and ranges to give you a clear picture.
Understanding the Averages
According to recent data from sources like ZipRecruiter (as of July 2025), the average hourly pay for a Sysco Truck Driver in the United States is around $27.09 per hour.
This translates to an average annual salary of approximately $56,348.
Monthly pay averages around $4,695.
Weekly pay averages around $1,083.
The Salary Range: From Entry-Level to Top Earners
It's important to note that these are averages. The actual pay can vary significantly based on experience, location, and other factors.
25th Percentile: Around $18.99 per hour, or $39,500 annually. This represents entry-level or less experienced drivers.
75th Percentile: Approximately $31.73 per hour, or $66,000 annually. Drivers in this range likely have more experience and efficiency.
Top Earners (90th Percentile): Some Sysco truck drivers can earn as much as $40.00 per hour, or up to $83,500 annually, or even higher in some cases. Reports suggest that some experienced drivers, especially those running linehaul at night, can even pull in up to $100,000 or $120,000 per year.
Hourly vs. Salary: How Sysco Pays
Sysco often utilizes a combination of hourly rates and productivity incentives. Some positions may be advertised with an hourly rate, while the overall compensation includes various bonuses. For example, a "CDL A Local Delivery Truck Driver" listing might show a compensation of "$36.50" with a note that "Factors that may be used to determine your actual rate of pay include your specific skills, years of experience and other factors."
Step 3: Location, Location, Location! Geographic Impact on Pay
Where you drive for Sysco can have a significant impact on your earnings. Salaries tend to be higher in areas with a higher cost of living or strong demand for drivers.
Top-Paying Cities for Sysco Truck Drivers:
While a comprehensive list would be exhaustive, here are some examples of cities where Sysco truck drivers report higher average salaries:
Denton, MT: ~$70,477 annually ($33.88/hour)
Nome, AK: ~$69,900 annually ($33.61/hour)
Berkeley, CA: ~$68,995 annually ($33.17/hour)
Gillette, WY: ~$93,440 annually ($44.92/hour - specifically for CDL A drivers)
Washington, D.C.: ~$90,548 annually ($43.53/hour - specifically for CDL A drivers)
This demonstrates that California, Wyoming, and other areas can offer significantly higher pay than the national average.
Factors Influencing Regional Pay:
Cost of Living: Regions with higher living expenses generally offer higher wages to compensate.
Demand for Drivers: Areas with a shortage of qualified CDL drivers may offer more competitive pay to attract talent.
Unionization: Some Sysco locations may be unionized, which can influence pay scales and benefits.
Step 4: Beyond the Base: Understanding Benefits and Incentives
Sysco's compensation package often extends beyond just the base pay. They typically offer a range of benefits and incentives that can significantly increase a driver's overall compensation.
Key Benefits Offered by Sysco:
Excellent Pay & Productivity Incentives: As mentioned, many roles include additional pay based on performance. This can include bonuses for safe driving, efficiency, and the number of stops/cases delivered.
Daily Routes & Home Nightly: A significant perk for many local delivery drivers is the ability to be home daily, offering a better work-life balance compared to long-haul trucking.
Paid Vacation and Holidays: Standard paid time off is usually part of the package.
Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits: This typically includes medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Generous Retirement Benefits: Such as 401(k) plans.
Employee Discount Programs: Including discounts on Sysco stock (SYY) and discounted prices on Sysco products.
Service Recognition and Employee Rewards: Programs that acknowledge long-term employees and high performers.
Safety Programs: Initiatives to promote safe driving with potential incentives.
Tuition Reimbursement: Where applicable, Sysco may offer support for continuing education or certifications.
Uniforms: Provided by the company.
Relocation Assistance: Available in certain situations, though restrictions may apply.
Example of Incentive-Based Pay Structure (as reported by a driver):
Some Sysco locations have a complex pay structure that includes:
Hourly pay for required work before and after routes.
Safety bonuses for not getting hurt or having at-fault accidents.
Productivity bonuses based on efficiency (e.g., how fast you work, cases per error).
Stop and invoice pay: A set amount per stop and invoice.
Case pay: Based on the number of cases delivered, often with tiered rates (e.g., higher rate for fewer cases, lower for more).
Mileage pay: A rate per mile, often tiered.
Call-in bonuses for working on normal off days.
This complex structure highlights that a driver's actual take-home pay can be considerably higher than just their base hourly rate, especially for efficient and experienced drivers.
Step 5: Getting Your Foot in the Door: Qualifications and Requirements
If you're interested in becoming a Sysco driver, you'll need to meet specific qualifications.
Minimum Requirements:
Age: 21+ years of age.
Valid CDL A: A valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a clean driving record (no single DUI in the last 3 years, no multiple DUIs within the last 7 years).
Medical Certification: Possess and be able to present a valid non-expired interstate Medical Examiner's Certificate Card.
English Language Proficiency: Ability to read, speak, and understand English sufficiently to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to inquiries, and make entries on reports.
Physical Ability: Must be able to frequently lift, push, or move product weighing 1-75 pounds (up to 100 pounds), reach up to 72 inches, and constantly bend and twist while loading/unloading.
Pre-employment Checks: Must submit to and pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
Flexibility: Must be able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as business needs require. Early morning start times are common.
Preferred Requirements (Often a Plus!):
1 year of customer delivery experience.
6 months of hand cart/hand truck experience.
6 months of food and beverage experience.
2 years of consistent work history.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to obtain certifications for double and triple trailers or hazardous cargo.
Strong customer relations and problem-resolution skills.
Ability to plan and organize work independently.
Sysco Driver Trainee Programs:
Sysco also offers CDL A Delivery Truck Driver Trainee programs for individuals without a CDL. These programs involve training to obtain your Class A CDL and learn the ropes of safely operating a tractor-trailer and making deliveries. This can be a great pathway for aspiring drivers.
Step 6: Paving Your Path: Career Growth Opportunities
Sysco is a large company, and that often translates to opportunities for career advancement for dedicated and high-performing employees.
Potential Career Paths:
Senior Driver Roles: More experienced drivers often get preferred routes or opportunities for higher-paying special deliveries.
Training Support Driver: Mentoring new drivers.
Fleet Management: Moving into roles overseeing the company's vehicle fleet.
Operations/Logistics: Opportunities in dispatch, route planning, inventory control, or warehouse management.
Leadership Roles: Progression into supervisory or management positions within the distribution center.
Sysco emphasizes its commitment to promoting from within and provides ongoing job skills and leadership development training. They also highlight their global presence and diverse career opportunities across various departments, from technology to sales and distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to help you further understand Sysco driver roles and compensation:
How to become a Sysco driver?
To become a Sysco driver, you typically need a valid Class A CDL, a clean driving record, and the ability to pass pre-employment drug and background checks. If you don't have a CDL, consider their driver trainee programs.
How to get hired as a Sysco driver with no experience?
Sysco offers CDL A Delivery Truck Driver Trainee programs designed for individuals without prior CDL experience, providing training to help you obtain your license and learn the job. Having some distribution or warehouse experience can be a plus.
How to maximize your earnings as a Sysco driver?
Maximize your earnings by focusing on efficiency and safety to qualify for productivity and safety bonuses. Taking on overtime hours or working on call-in days can also significantly boost your pay.
How to deal with the physical demands of being a Sysco driver?
The job is physically demanding due to manual unloading. Maintaining good physical fitness, utilizing proper lifting techniques, and using equipment like hand carts are crucial.
How to manage work-life balance as a Sysco driver?
Sysco local delivery drivers typically have daily routes and are home nightly, which generally offers a better work-life balance compared to over-the-road trucking. However, early starts and occasional weekend/holiday work are common.
How to prepare for a Sysco driver interview?
Research Sysco's products and company culture, highlight your customer service skills, and be prepared to discuss your experience with physical work and adherence to safety regulations.
How to understand the Sysco driver pay structure?
Sysco's pay structure often includes an hourly rate, plus various incentives for productivity (cases, stops), mileage, and safety. The specific details can vary by location and union agreements.
How to progress your career as a Sysco driver?
Career progression opportunities at Sysco include becoming a senior driver, training support driver, or moving into roles in fleet management, operations, or leadership within the distribution center.
How to find Sysco driver job openings?
You can find Sysco driver job openings on their official careers website (careers.sysco.com), as well as on major job boards like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
How to know if Sysco is a good company to work for as a driver?
Many drivers appreciate the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the ability to be home daily. However, it's a physically demanding job with early hours, and some locations may have varying experiences regarding workload and management. Reading reviews from current and former employees can provide further insight.
