Couriers and Messengers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $39,200 · Median hourly: $18.85 · Employment: 68,640
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| 25th | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Median | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 75th | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| 90th | $50,330 | $24.20 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 43-5021
- Total U.S. employment: 68,640
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Couriers and Messengers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,820 | $16.74 | -11.2% | 720 |
| Alaska | $41,720 | $20.06 | +6.4% | 160 |
| Arizona | $38,980 | $18.74 | -0.6% | 820 |
| Arkansas | $37,070 | $17.82 | -5.4% | 300 |
| California | $44,970 | $21.62 | +14.7% | 7,240 |
| Colorado | $45,140 | $21.70 | +15.2% | 640 |
| Connecticut | $39,480 | $18.98 | +0.7% | 650 |
| Delaware | $38,760 | $18.63 | -1.1% | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $45,210 | $21.74 | +15.3% | 120 |
| Florida | $37,740 | $18.14 | -3.7% | 4,910 |
| Georgia | $39,400 | $18.94 | +0.5% | 2,100 |
| Hawaii | $38,580 | $18.55 | -1.6% | 270 |
| Idaho | $36,110 | $17.36 | -7.9% | 410 |
| Illinois | $39,100 | $18.80 | -0.3% | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $37,270 | $17.92 | -4.9% | 990 |
| Iowa | $38,460 | $18.49 | -1.9% | 580 |
| Kansas | $38,370 | $18.45 | -2.1% | 580 |
| Kentucky | $35,880 | $17.25 | -8.5% | 750 |
| Louisiana | $33,490 | $16.10 | -14.6% | 1,030 |
| Maine | $41,710 | $20.06 | +6.4% | 40 |
| Maryland | $39,140 | $18.82 | -0.2% | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $42,380 | $20.37 | +8.1% | 1,560 |
| Michigan | $37,940 | $18.24 | -3.2% | 1,500 |
| Minnesota | $44,860 | $21.57 | +14.4% | 440 |
| Mississippi | $35,780 | $17.20 | -8.7% | 590 |
| Missouri | $41,410 | $19.91 | +5.6% | 1,060 |
| Montana | $40,080 | $19.27 | +2.2% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $34,600 | $16.64 | -11.7% | 470 |
| Nevada | $46,520 | $22.36 | +18.7% | 530 |
| New Hampshire | $40,630 | $19.53 | +3.6% | 190 |
| New Jersey | $40,870 | $19.65 | +4.3% | 2,100 |
| New Mexico | $38,570 | $18.54 | -1.6% | 400 |
| New York | $38,740 | $18.63 | -1.2% | 7,320 |
| North Carolina | $39,100 | $18.80 | -0.3% | 3,350 |
| North Dakota | $38,090 | $18.31 | -2.8% | 40 |
| Ohio | $38,320 | $18.42 | -2.2% | 1,710 |
| Oklahoma | $38,910 | $18.71 | -0.7% | 1,220 |
| Oregon | $45,170 | $21.71 | +15.2% | 850 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,700 | $19.09 | +1.3% | 3,330 |
| Rhode Island | $36,810 | $17.70 | -6.1% | 160 |
| South Carolina | $36,710 | $17.65 | -6.4% | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $31,650 | $15.22 | -19.3% | 80 |
| Tennessee | $40,270 | $19.36 | +2.7% | 0 |
| Texas | $39,260 | $18.87 | +0.2% | 4,710 |
| Utah | $42,840 | $20.60 | +9.3% | 850 |
| Vermont | $45,600 | $21.92 | +16.3% | 50 |
| Virginia | $37,820 | $18.18 | -3.5% | 2,010 |
| Washington | $46,500 | $22.36 | +18.6% | 1,190 |
| West Virginia | $34,890 | $16.77 | -11.0% | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $36,910 | $17.75 | -5.8% | 2,560 |
| Wyoming | $31,680 | $15.23 | -19.2% | 70 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for couriers and messengers?
The median annual wage for couriers and messengers is $39,200 ($18.85 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays couriers and messengers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many couriers and messengers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 68,640 couriers and messengers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do couriers and messengers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.85. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.