All About Couriers and Messengers
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.
A Day in the Life of a Courier or Messenger
- Perform routine maintenance on delivery vehicles, such as monitoring fluid levels and replenishing fuel.
- Call by telephone to deliver verbal messages.
- Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.
- Collect, seal, and stamp outgoing mail, using postage meters and envelope sealers.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming mail.
- Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments, and to other establishments and private homes.
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What a Courier or Messenger Should Know
Couriers and Messengers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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
- Circular Distributor
- Mail Clerk
- Merchandise Deliverer
- Outside Deliverer
- Bank Courier
Is There Going to be Demand 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. The BLS estimates 10,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
What is the Average Salary of 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 each U.S. state?
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 & Technology 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 to Become a Courier or Messenger
What education or degrees do I need to become a Courier or Messenger?

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

Where Couriers and Messengers Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Courier or Messenger may also be interested in:
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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