Life As a Courier or Messenger
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?
- Collect, seal, and stamp outgoing mail, using postage meters and envelope sealers.
- Perform general office or clerical work such as filing materials, operating duplicating machines, or running errands.
- Check with home offices after completed deliveries to confirm deliveries and collections and to receive instructions for other deliveries.
- Perform routine maintenance on delivery vehicles, such as monitoring fluid levels and replenishing fuel.
- Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods.
- Call by telephone to deliver verbal messages.
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Courier or Messenger Needed Skills
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.
Types of Courier or Messenger Jobs
- Delivery of Shopping News
- Caller
- Laboratory Courier
- Pager
- Mail Clerk
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.
How Much Does a Courier or Messenger Make?
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.
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?
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

Below are examples of industries where Couriers and Messengers work:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Courier or Messenger might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Courier or Messenger in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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