ice cream truck driver
AP Photo/Jake Seiner

How Much Do Ice Cream Truck Drivers Make?


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Ice cream truck drivers: we see, or most likely hear, them all the time, blasting that classic jingle as they drive around neighborhoods. Seeing an ice cream truck driver brings life to people, because let's get real, who doesn't love a cold ice cream while enjoying the outdoors on a sunny day? However, have you ever wondered how much money that delivery driver is actually making by selling treats all day?

Now, ice cream truck driver job openings are not uncommon to stumble across on Indeed.com or other job posting sites. They offer full-time gigs, and a job where you just drive around to pick up and sell ice cream doesn't exactly sound all that bad. On top of that, the opportunities are available pretty much anywhere, so whether you're in San Antonio, Los Angeles, New York, or Colorado, you'll likely find something around you. That being said, let's get down to brass tacks.

Ice Cream Truck Driver Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for an ice cream truck driver is $34,579 per year, or around $17 an hour. Salaries as high as $65,500 have been reported before, but they're pretty infrequent. Honestly, not too bad of pay for what the job description entails. It's also noted that higher pay is available in certain popular areas around the United States, with the highest being in New York. Keep in mind that those areas also come with a higher cost of living. Just quickly looking around job sites in my own area, I see pay ranging anywhere from $14 to $25 per hour.

$17 per hour is enough to make some people think about the opportunity. Whether you're fresh out of high school or you're just looking for something new, it could be an interesting position if you enjoy being around frozen foods and bringing smiles to peoples faces.

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How to Become an Ice Cream Truck Driver

Luckily, you don't need any kind of Class A CDL or fancy degree to get started working as an ice cream truck driver. You will need to have some of the basic requirements, though. These would include having a valid driver's license, having a fairly clean driving record, and passing a background check. If you've got all that covered, you're in the clear to start applying.

In most cases, the people that are the most qualified for the job are those who have previous experience in sales, customer service, or as a cashier. It's ideal to possess these skills to professionally interact with people on a regular basis throughout the day. Browse around on different job sites, and it shouldn't take long before you find something near you, or you can set job alerts for when one pops up. If all else fails, talk to the drivers that come around you locally. Ask about any available positions, and they might be able to give some more insight.

If this is something that peaks your interest, why not give it a shot? Everyone has a different perception of how much they would like to earn from a job, but consider all the information above, and make your own choice if it's worth it to you!

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