Couriers and Messengers
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.
Also called: Bank Courier, Bank Messenger, Bicycle Messenger, Call Person, Call Worker Person, Caller
Median pay
$39,200
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,550 – $50,330
People employed
68,640
Holland code
CRS
Conventional · Realistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 6.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Work outdoors in all weather
Couriers and Messengers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What couriers and messengers do
- 01Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
- 02Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
- 03Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
- 04Receive messages or materials to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and delivery instructions, communicated via telephone, two-way radio, or in person.
- 05Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.
- 06Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from couriers and messengers
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops86% · −5%
- Driver/Sales Workers86% · −1%
- Light Truck Drivers86% · +14%
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service83% · 0%
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs80% · −5%
Change into couriers and messengers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Driver/Sales Workers89% · $38,770
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops86% · $37,080
- Light Truck Drivers84% · $44,860
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service83% · $39,280
- Parking Attendants80% · $35,150