SOC 435021

Couriers and Messengers

Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance. Excludes "Light Truck Drivers" (53-3033).

National Median

$38,340

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$38,340

Entry Level (10th pct)

$29,880

Experienced (90th pct)

$50,590

Total Employed

71,920

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$29,880 - $35,130
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$35,130 - $44,630
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$44,630 - $50,590

Highest Paying Locations for Couriers and Messengers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$52,310

+36.4% vs national

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

$49,090

+28.0% vs national

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

$48,770

+27.2% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$47,490

+23.9% vs national

Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT

$47,290

+23.3% vs national

Couriers and Messengers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$52,310	420
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$49,090	70
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$48,770	190
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$47,490	1,190
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$47,290	120
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$46,810	40
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$46,460	40
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$45,900	950
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$45,840	460
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$45,790	390
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$45,780	1,380
Napa, CA	$44,720	30
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$44,680	520
Colorado	$44,610	690
California	$44,600	8,970
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$44,350	40
Washington	$44,170	1,670
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$44,080	3,500
District of Columbia	$44,010	N/A
Minnesota	$43,890	640
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$43,860	470
Modesto, CA	$43,620	140
Fresno, CA	$43,590	190
Bellingham, WA	$43,030	60
Duluth, MN-WI	$42,920	40
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$42,890	480
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$42,560	820
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$42,550	40
Nevada	$42,490	650
Massachusetts	$42,250	1,170
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$42,230	7,130
Cleveland, OH	$41,910	540
Oregon	$41,870	770
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$41,870	30
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$41,760	810
Akron, OH	$41,640	120
Utah	$41,600	1,040
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$41,600	700
New Haven, CT	$41,540	130
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$41,530	170
Chico, CA	$41,530	50
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$41,370	120
Redding, CA	$41,160	40
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$41,140	200
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$41,020	930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$40,930	700
Visalia, CA	$40,540	60
Richmond, VA	$40,540	470
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$40,320	60
St. Cloud, MN	$40,310	30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Couriers and Messengers?

The national median annual salary for Couriers and Messengers is $38,340, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Couriers and Messengerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Couriers and Messengerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $52,310.

How much can an experienced Couriers and Messengers make?

Top-earning Couriers and Messengerss (90th percentile) make $50,590 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.