California Median
$44,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $39,200
State Rank
#7 of 51
7,240 employed here
How much do Couriers and Messengers make in California?
Couriers and Messengers in California take home a median of $44,970 annually — roughly $21.62 an hour — which runs 15% above the national median of $39,200.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,200 while the top 10% make $57,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,420 and $48,480 a year.
Couriers and Messengers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,200 | $17.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,420 | $18.95 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,970 | $21.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,480 | $23.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,360 | $27.58 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Couriers and Messengers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Couriers and Messengers salary in other states
Nevada $46,520Washington $46,500Vermont $45,600District of Columbia $45,210Oregon $45,170Colorado $45,140Minnesota $44,860Utah $42,840Massachusetts $42,380Alaska $41,720Maine $41,710Missouri $41,410New Jersey $40,870New Hampshire $40,630Tennessee $40,270Montana $40,080Pennsylvania $39,700Connecticut $39,480Georgia $39,400Texas $39,260Maryland $39,140Illinois $39,100North Carolina $39,100Arizona $38,980Oklahoma $38,910Delaware $38,760New York $38,740Hawaii $38,580New Mexico $38,570Iowa $38,460Kansas $38,370Ohio $38,320North Dakota $38,090Michigan $37,940Virginia $37,820Florida $37,740Indiana $37,270Arkansas $37,070Wisconsin $36,910Rhode Island $36,810South Carolina $36,710Idaho $36,110Kentucky $35,880Mississippi $35,780West Virginia $34,890Alabama $34,820Nebraska $34,600Louisiana $33,490Wyoming $31,680South Dakota $31,650
Working as Couriers and Messengers in California
Nationally, about 69,000 people work as Couriers and Messengers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($44,970) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Couriers and Messengers make in California?
The median Couriers and Messengers salary in California is $44,970 per year, or about $21.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,200 at the entry level to $57,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Couriers and Messengers about 15% more than the national median of $39,200. California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Couriers and Messengers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,970 a year. About 7,240 Couriers and Messengers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Couriers and Messengers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.