UPS is one of the biggest seasonal employers in the US, hiring around 100,000 people for the holiday rush in recent years. Roles include package handlers, driver helpers who ride along with UPS drivers, and seasonal support drivers who deliver in their own vehicle. These are employee jobs, not gigs, and pay varies by role and location.
At a glance
| Type of work | Package handling, driver helper, seasonal support driving, CDL driving |
| How you earn | Hourly wage as an employee |
| Typical pay | Set by role and location; check the rate on each listing |
| Cost to join | None |
| When | Mainly October to December, plus year-round part-time roles |
| Requirements | Depend on the role: physical work for handlers, license and minimum age for drivers |
| Where it works | Hundreds of US locations, with UPS operations worldwide |
The main seasonal roles
Package handler. You load, unload and sort packages inside UPS facilities. Shifts are often early morning, evening or overnight, and the work is physical.
Driver helper. You ride along with a UPS driver and run packages from the truck to the door during the peak. You don’t drive the truck. Helpers usually meet their driver at a meet point near home, and schedules vary day to day.
Seasonal support driver. You use your own vehicle to deliver packages during high demand. These roles need a valid license and a minimum age, and come with their own vehicle requirements.
CDL driver. For those with a commercial license, UPS also hires seasonal CDL drivers.
Pay and hiring
UPS doesn’t advertise one rate for all seasonal jobs, so the hourly pay depends on the role and location shown in each listing. Its package handler and driver pay is shaped by the Teamsters contract agreed in 2023, which raised starting rates for seasonal handlers and drivers that year and set increases for the following years.
UPS has said that its online application can lead to a job offer in under 20 minutes, and most seasonal jobs don’t require an interview. Seasonal hiring is also a known route into permanent work: UPS has said that about a third of seasonal package handlers in recent years went on to permanent roles.
What to expect
Peak season is intense. Volumes are high, days can be long, and driver helpers spend hours on their feet in winter weather. Bring proper footwear and layers, and be ready for schedules that change at short notice, especially for helper roles. If you want to stay on after the holidays, make attendance and speed your priorities.
How to apply
Seasonal roles are listed on UPS’s jobs site from late summer, with most hiring in September and October. Search by your ZIP code and role, check the pay and shift on each listing, and apply online. For driver helper roles, pick a listing whose meet point is close to home, since you’ll travel there each day. If you’re hoping to stay on after January, say so to your supervisor early.
Owen’s take
A UPS seasonal job is one of the most reliable ways to earn real money fast in November and December, with no app, no ratings and no waiting for orders. Driver helper is my pick for most people: no driving, lots of walking, and you’re done when the route is done. It’s hard work and it ends in January for most. But for a holiday cash boost, or a foot in the door at a company with strong union pay, it’s hard to beat.
Who it suits
It suits people who want short-term, well-paid holiday work and can handle physical jobs outdoors or in warehouses. It suits less well anyone who needs year-round flexibility or can’t commit to a peak-season schedule.
Similar options
- FedEx hires part-time and seasonal package handlers too.
- Amazon Flex and Roadie let you deliver packages on your own schedule.
- Instawork offers warehouse shifts year-round.
More options are in Gig Work, USA and Worldwide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Huge seasonal hiring, often with fast offers
- Driver helper roles need no driving
- Seasonal work can lead to permanent union jobs
Cons
- Mostly short-term, ending after the holidays
- Physically hard, often in bad weather
- Helper schedules change day to day
FAQ
How many seasonal workers does UPS hire?
Around 100,000 for the holiday peak in recent years.
What does a UPS driver helper do?
Driver helpers ride with a UPS driver and deliver packages to the door during the holiday season. They don’t drive the truck.
How much do UPS seasonal jobs pay?
It depends on the role and location. Each listing shows its hourly rate.
Can a UPS seasonal job become permanent?
Yes. UPS has said about a third of its seasonal package handlers in recent years moved into permanent roles.
