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Are newspaper carriers independent contractors?

Author

Emma Martin

Published Feb 09, 2026

Are newspaper carriers independent contractors?

The National Labor Relations Board, which determines whether workers are employees who have the right to unionize, specifically ruled in 2005 that newspaper carriers were independent contractors, and thus could not unionize. The NLRB restored the earlier standard in a January 2019 decision.

What is a independent newspaper carrier?

Newspaper Carrier – Independent Contractor Deliver newspapers along designated route. Have ownership of a specific newspaper delivery area.

What types of jobs are independent contractors?

Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, painters, hair stylists, wedding planners, auto mechanics, florists, and many other skilled workers that specialize in a trade can be regarded as independent contractors.

How do newspaper delivery jobs work?

Typically, they pick up newspapers from a distribution point early in the morning, sort them, as appropriate, and in some cases, insert fliers and promotional materials, and then bag the papers. The delivery driver is then responsible for delivering the papers to private residences, businesses, stores and newsstands.

Can you make money delivering newspapers?

Earnings vary from one newspaper carrier to the next depending on how much time each spends delivering newspapers. Some newspapers pay their carriers ​$500​ a week or 10 to 15 cents per newspaper delivered, Best Life states. Rural newspaper delivery jobs pay a little more because houses are spaced further apart.

Is a paper route considered self employed?

Newspaper deliverers or news carriers: You are considered self-employed if you deliver or distribute newspapers or perform related tasks (such as soliciting customers), your pay is based on sales or other output and not on the number of hours you work, and you work under a contract which states that you are not an …

What do you do as a newspaper carrier?

A newspaper carrier, or courier, delivers newspapers to customers on a paper route. Duties in a newspaper delivery job may include retrieving the day’s newspapers from the publisher, delivering the daily paper to customers, and collecting money when it is due. The paper route may change or be longer on the weekend.

Can a 12 year old deliver newspapers?

Delivering newspapers. Kids as young as 11 can start delivering newspapers with a work permit. That means your 12 year old can get a job as a newspaper delivery person to start earning some extra cash.

What is the highest paid contractor?

Highest paying construction jobs

  • Boilermaker ($65,360)
  • Construction and building inspector ($62,860)
  • Electrician ($56,900)
  • Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($56,330)
  • Ironworkers ($53,210)
  • Sheet metal workers ($51,370)
  • Carpenters ($49,520)
  • Construction equipment operators ($49,100)

Can you make a living as an independent contractor?

Today, more Americans than ever make a living as independent contractors. For many, this means taking on multiple jobs from different companies rather than working full-time for a traditional employer. In fact, nearly half of all millennials make a living as contractors today.

How long does a paper route take?

approximately 90 minutes
According to Vawter, most routes take carriers approximately 90 minutes to complete. Collins notes that the nicest neighborhoods aren’t always the most attractive for a newspaper carrier. In his experience, customers with big houses often gave small tips.

Do newspaper carriers pay taxes?

Whether or not they are registrants, the carriers collect the tax on the retail price of the newspapers that they sell to consumers. The carriers do not, however, have to account for the tax collected from their customers.

What is the job of an independent contractor?

independent contractor. n. a person or business which performs services for another person or entity under a contract between them, with the terms spelled out such as duties, pay, the amount and type of work and other matters. An independent contractor is distinguished from an employee, who works regularly for an employer.

What is an independent contract?

An Independent Contractor Agreement is a written contract between two parties for a specific service or project. One person or company is hiring another to help on a short term task. Unlike an employment agreement, this document clearly spells out why the party being hired is not an employee for legal and tax purposes.

How to get job delivering newspapers?

Job Description. Delivery persons pick up newspapers from a distribution center and make deliveries along an assigned route.

  • Education Requirements. There are no education requirements for a job delivering newspapers.
  • Work Environment. Customers expect timely delivery of their newspapers.
  • Find Employment.
  • Salary and Job Outlook.
  • What is newspaper delivery?

    Job Description. Newspaper delivery employees have a variety of responsibilities. Typically, they pick up newspapers from a distribution point early in the morning, sort them, as appropriate, and in some cases, insert fliers and promotional materials, and then bag the papers. The delivery driver is then responsible for delivering…