What Do Courier or Messenger Do?
Example of Courier or Messenger Job 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: What Do They Do?
- Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
- Sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route.
- Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.
- Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
- Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments, and to other establishments and private homes.
- Perform general office or clerical work such as filing materials, operating duplicating machines, or running errands.
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Courier or Messenger Skills
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Message Clerk
- Freight Caller
- Merchandise Deliverer
- Telephone Messenger
- Pick Up Worker
Are There Job Opportunities for Couriers and Messengers?
In the United States, there were 95,000 jobs for Courier or Messenger in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 10,100 positions for Courier or Messenger per 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.
Salary for a Courier or Messenger
The salary for Couriers and Messengers ranges between about $20,390 and $44,400 a year.

Couriers and Messengers who work in Washington, Maryland, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Couriers and Messengers make 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Couriers and Messengers
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?
Are there Couriers and Messengers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Courier or Messenger?

Where Couriers and Messengers Are Employed

Couriers and Messengers work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
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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