Median Salary
$39,200
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$18.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$50,330
entry level starts ~$31,550
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 69,000 employed
How much do Couriers and Messengers make?
Couriers and Messengers earn a median annual salary of $39,200 in the United States, which works out to roughly $18.85 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $31,550 at the entry level and $50,330 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $36,070 and $45,280 a year.
That is $22,190 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Couriers and Messengers salary range by percentile
Half of all Couriers and Messengers earn between $36,070 and $45,280 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,550 | $15.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,070 | $17.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,200 | $18.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,280 | $21.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,330 | $24.20 |
|
Highest-paying states for Couriers and Messengers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Nevada leads the country for Couriers and Messengers pay at $46,520 a year, followed by Washington ($46,500) and Vermont ($45,600). At the other end, South Dakota posts the lowest median at $31,650 — a gap of $14,870 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Couriers and Messengers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Nevada $46,520Washington $46,500Vermont $45,600District of Columbia $45,210Oregon $45,170Colorado $45,140California $44,970Minnesota $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
Workforce and education
About 69,000 people work as Couriers and Messengers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $40,970 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Couriers and Messengers make in the United States?
The median Couriers and Messengers salary in the United States is $39,200 per year, or about $18.85 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,550, while the top 10% of earners make $50,330 or more.
How does Couriers and Messengers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Couriers and Messengers median of $39,200 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Couriers and Messengers the most?
Nevada is the highest-paying state for Couriers and Messengers, with a median salary of $46,520 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Couriers and Messengers need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Couriers and Messengers work in the United States?
About 69,000 people were employed as Couriers and Messengers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.