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What Does it Take to Be a Courier or Messenger?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Courier or Messenger
- Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
- Collect, seal, and stamp outgoing mail, using postage meters and envelope sealers.
- Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients’ responses to messages.
- Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
- Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
- Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Courier or Messenger?
When polled, Couriers and Messengers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Courier or Messenger
- Errand Runner
- Mail Clerk
- Courier
- Merchandise Deliverer
- Sample Distributor
Courier or Messenger Job Outlook
There were about 95,000 jobs for Courier or Messenger in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,900 new jobs for Courier or Messenger by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Courier or Messenger are Colorado, Utah, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Mississippi, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Courier or Messenger Salary
Couriers and Messengers make between $20,390 and $44,400 a year.
Couriers and Messengers who work in Washington, Maryland, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Couriers and Messengers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,540 |
| Alaska | $32,840 |
| Arizona | $30,440 |
| Arkansas | $24,990 |
| California | $34,620 |
| Colorado | $32,470 |
| Connecticut | $34,410 |
| Delaware | $30,420 |
| District of Columbia | $38,280 |
| Florida | $30,320 |
| Georgia | $28,270 |
| Hawaii | $30,680 |
| Idaho | $24,770 |
| Illinois | $29,280 |
| Indiana | $27,780 |
| Iowa | $27,730 |
| Kansas | $29,620 |
| Kentucky | $28,300 |
| Louisiana | $24,970 |
| Maine | $29,920 |
| Maryland | $34,090 |
| Massachusetts | $32,750 |
| Michigan | $28,110 |
| Minnesota | $30,530 |
| Mississippi | $26,260 |
| Missouri | $29,120 |
| Montana | $26,870 |
| Nebraska | $27,050 |
| Nevada | $27,080 |
| New Hampshire | $27,480 |
| New Jersey | $33,620 |
| New Mexico | $27,710 |
| New York | $33,620 |
| North Carolina | $28,460 |
| North Dakota | $28,680 |
| Ohio | $28,750 |
| Oklahoma | $29,290 |
| Oregon | $34,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,270 |
| Rhode Island | $35,010 |
| South Carolina | $25,380 |
| South Dakota | $25,380 |
| Tennessee | $33,450 |
| Texas | $27,390 |
| Utah | $28,760 |
| Vermont | $31,840 |
| Virginia | $32,490 |
| Washington | $35,720 |
| West Virginia | $25,990 |
| Wisconsin | $24,900 |
What Tools do Couriers and Messengers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Couriers and Messengers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Route mapping software
How do I Become a Courier or Messenger?
Individuals working as a Courier or Messenger have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Courier or Messenger?
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Courier or Messenger might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Courier or Messenger sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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