In 2026, as supply chains remain under pressure and skilled drivers are in high demand, PepsiCo is stepping up its hiring game—with competitive pay, strong benefits, and real career support. A recently posted Class A/B CDL driver position in Nantucket, MA has caught attention not just for its ** $ 36.60/hour wage**, but also for an unusual perk: a monthly living stipend of $ 3,000 (less applicable taxes).
But don't be fooled—this isn't your typical "drive and drop" trucking job. It's a hands-on, customer-facing role that blends delivery, merchandising, and retail service into one demanding—but potentially rewarding—career path. Here's exactly what the job entails, based on PepsiCo's official job posting and its partnership with Ancora Training.
💰 Pay & Benefits: Clear, Competitive, and Location-Specific
According to PepsiCo's official listing, compensation includes:
- Hourly Rate: $ 36.60 / hour
- Living stipend agreement included with monthly payments of $ 3,000 less applicable taxes
- ** $ 1,000 Sign-on Bonus**: $ 250 paid after 30 days, $ 750 after 90 days
📌 Note: This package applies specifically to the Nantucket, MA location—a seasonal island community with high living costs and limited local labor. The base hourly rate alone significantly exceeds the national average for CDL drivers ( $ 22– $ 28/hour).
🚚 What You'll Actually Do: It's Not Just Driving
This is a Direct Store Delivery (DSD) role—the kind PepsiCo (and Frito-Lay) is known for. You're not just transporting goods; you're the face of the brand at every stop. On a typical day, you'll:
- Deliver products to 15–20 retail locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, small supermarkets, and pharmacies
- Unload your own truck—lifting cases weighing 20–45 lbs, repeatedly, throughout your shift
- Stock shelves, rotate product, build displays, and set up promotional signage
- Interact directly with store managers, address needs, and ensure promotions are executed correctly
- Process payments, generate invoices, and reconcile cash/credit transactions daily
- Operate hand trucks, pallet jacks, and other equipment to move product from truck to shelf
The job description is blunt: "This position is labor intensive." Expect frequent bending, squatting, lifting, and working outdoors in all weather conditions. During summer and holiday peaks, shifts can run long.
📚 Training Support: Real Help Through Ancora Partnership
PepsiCo doesn't just hire drivers—it invests in them. Through a partnership with Ancora Training, employees gain access to structured CDL preparation:
"Join CDL training program and take control of your future! The course combines classroom learning with real-world driving practice to prepare you for the CDL skills test. Small classes and experienced instructors give you an inside look at what it really means to drive professionally."
Training covers:
- Pre-trip inspections
- Backing, turning, and tight-space maneuvering
- DOT regulations and compliance
- Defensive driving and accident prevention
- Vehicle systems and weight/dimension laws
While the Nantucket posting requires applicants to already hold a valid CDL, PepsiCo encourages internal mobility. Many team members start in warehouse or helper roles and later transition into driving—often with company-supported training.
✅ Must-Have Qualifications: Safety First
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a valid U.S. CDL with Non-Excepted Interstate status
- Pass a DOT physical and road test
- Clear a drug screen and background check
PepsiCo follows "Ban the Box" and Fair Chance hiring practices—meaning qualified applicants with criminal records will still be considered in line with local and state laws.
🏝️ Why Nantucket? The Reason Behind the High Pay
Nantucket is a remote island destination with a population that swells in summer. Year-round staffing is tough, logistics are complex, and housing is expensive. The ** $ 3,000 monthly stipend** is a strategic incentive to attract mainland drivers willing to commit to the location—even if only seasonally.
That said, the job isn't easy: long hours, physical demands, and year-round weather exposure are part of the deal.
✅ The Bottom Line: High Effort, High Reward?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ $ 36.60/hour—well above market rate | ❌ Physically demanding; heavy lifting all day |
| ✅ Monthly stipend + $ 1K sign-on bonus | ❌ You're responsible for merchandising, sales support, and cash handling—not just driving |
| ✅ Full-time role with PepsiCo benefits | ❌ Remote location with high cost of living |
| ✅ Career growth through Ancora training | ❌ Must already have an Interstate CDL |
🔗 How to Apply
- Go to PepsiCo's careers page via ADP
- Search for "Delivery Driver" in Nantucket, MA
- Confirm you hold a Non-Excepted Interstate CDL
- Be ready for DOT screening, drug testing, and background verification
💡 Tip: If you don't have your CDL yet, consider applying for a warehouse associate or route helper role first. Many PepsiCo drivers start there and move up—with training support along the way.
