How much does a courier and messenger make?
The median courier and messenger in the United States earns $38,340 per year, about $18.43 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all couriers and messengers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 43-5021.
Courier and messenger salary range
Pay for couriers and messengers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,880 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $50,590. The average (mean) wage of $40,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,880 | $14.37 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,130 | $16.89 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,340 | $18.43 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $44,630 | $21.46 | |
| 90th percentile | $50,590 | $24.32 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for couriers and messengers (SOC 43-5021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Courier and messenger salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Couriers and messengers earn the most in Colorado at $44,610 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $29,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $44,610 | 690 |
| California | $44,600 | 8,970 |
| Washington | $44,170 | 1,670 |
| District of Columbia | $44,010 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $43,890 | 640 |
| Nevada | $42,490 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $42,250 | 1,170 |
| Oregon | $41,870 | 770 |
| Utah | $41,600 | 1,040 |
| Maine | $40,020 | 40 |
| New York | $39,780 | 7,530 |
| New Jersey | $39,710 | 2,490 |
| Illinois | $39,680 | 1,560 |
| Vermont | $39,600 | 60 |
| Missouri | $39,520 | 1,390 |
| Alaska | $39,170 | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $39,090 | 710 |
| Montana | $38,780 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $38,620 | 190 |
| Rhode Island | $38,420 | 150 |
| Virginia | $38,380 | 2,760 |
| North Carolina | $38,260 | 3,760 |
| Wyoming | $38,230 | 110 |
| Maryland | $38,010 | 1,110 |
| Iowa | $37,730 | 720 |
| Ohio | $37,680 | 2,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,590 | 3,050 |
| Delaware | $37,560 | 350 |
| Hawaii | $37,480 | 440 |
| Indiana | $37,470 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $37,360 | 230 |
| Texas | $37,310 | 4,380 |
| West Virginia | $37,260 | 290 |
| Arizona | $37,220 | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | $37,170 | 2,110 |
| Georgia | $37,140 | 1,840 |
| Michigan | $37,130 | 1,700 |
| New Mexico | $36,790 | 370 |
| Florida | $36,760 | 5,650 |
| Tennessee | $36,690 | 2,080 |
| North Dakota | $36,400 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $36,350 | 850 |
| Kansas | $35,520 | 440 |
| Arkansas | $35,430 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $35,360 | 1,120 |
| Mississippi | $34,930 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $33,400 | 70 |
| Alabama | $31,870 | 1,020 |
| Nebraska | $29,570 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $29,520 | 1,120 |
State median wages for couriers and messengers (SOC 43-5021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for couriers and messengers
The BLS projects employment of couriers and messengers to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 228,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 247,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 23,800 openings a year for couriers and messengers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a courier and messenger
The typical entry-level education for couriers and messengers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a courier and messenger earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Colorado, $44,610) and the lowest (Louisiana, $29,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 71,920 people work as couriers and messengers in the United States. At $38,340 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Courier and messenger salary FAQ
How much does a courier and messenger make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a courier and messenger is $18.43. The middle half of couriers and messengers earn between $16.89 and $21.46 per hour.
What is the highest courier and messenger salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of couriers and messengers earn more than $50,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a courier and messenger make a year?
The median annual salary for a courier and messenger is $38,340. The average (mean) wage of $40,060 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a courier and messenger a well paid job?
At $38,340 a year, a courier and messenger earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 71,920 people work as couriers and messengers in the United States.
Which state pays couriers and messengers the most?
Colorado has the highest median salary for couriers and messengers at $44,610 a year. California ($44,600) and Washington ($44,170) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a courier and messenger a good career?
Employment of couriers and messengers is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 23,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a courier and messenger?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for couriers and messengers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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