Couriers and Messengers Salary by State
The national median pay for couriers and messengers is $39,200 a year. By state, it ranges from $31,650 in South Dakota to $46,520 in Nevada.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $31,550
- 25th percentile
- $36,070
- Median
- $39,200
- 75th percentile
- $45,280
- Top 10%
- $50,330
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 68,640 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $46,520 | +19% | $31,700 | $49,980 | 530 |
| 2 | Washington | $46,500 | +19% | $38,380 | $55,370 | 1,190 |
| 3 | Vermont | $45,600 | +16% | $36,190 | $46,140 | 50 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $45,210 | +15% | $37,930 | $55,540 | 120 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,170 | +15% | $35,110 | $58,960 | 850 |
| 6 | Colorado | $45,140 | +15% | $30,890 | $60,330 | 640 |
| 7 | California | $44,970 | +15% | $36,200 | $57,360 | 7,240 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $44,860 | +14% | $36,640 | $58,480 | 440 |
| 9 | Utah | $42,840 | +9% | $36,730 | $47,560 | 850 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $42,380 | +8% | $35,560 | $56,510 | 1,560 |
| 11 | Alaska | $41,720 | +6% | $37,100 | $48,180 | 160 |
| 12 | Maine | $41,710 | +6% | $38,020 | $48,770 | 40 |
| 13 | Missouri | $41,410 | +6% | $33,560 | $47,950 | 1,060 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $40,870 | +4% | $34,150 | $51,590 | 2,100 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $40,630 | +4% | $26,350 | $53,980 | 190 |
| 16 | Tennessee | $40,270 | +3% | $33,360 | $46,940 | Not published |
| 17 | Montana | $40,080 | +2% | $27,040 | $50,500 | 60 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $39,700 | +1% | $30,520 | $48,950 | 3,330 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $39,480 | +1% | $35,300 | $54,980 | 650 |
| 20 | Georgia | $39,400 | +1% | $29,340 | $47,900 | 2,100 |
| 21 | Texas | $39,260 | 0% | $30,900 | $49,490 | 4,710 |
| 22 | Maryland | $39,140 | 0% | $33,850 | $49,850 | 770 |
| 23 | Illinois | $39,100 | 0% | $32,520 | $47,550 | 1,340 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $39,100 | 0% | $28,120 | $47,280 | 3,350 |
| 25 | Arizona | $38,980 | −1% | $31,200 | $46,330 | 820 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $38,910 | −1% | $29,470 | $44,170 | 1,220 |
| 27 | Delaware | $38,760 | −1% | $33,960 | $46,810 | 170 |
| 28 | New York | $38,740 | −1% | $35,190 | $56,840 | 7,320 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $38,580 | −2% | $36,410 | $45,250 | 270 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $38,570 | −2% | $28,310 | $43,240 | 400 |
| 31 | Iowa | $38,460 | −2% | $32,180 | $42,840 | 580 |
| 32 | Kansas | $38,370 | −2% | $28,210 | $48,000 | 580 |
| 33 | Ohio | $38,320 | −2% | $31,200 | $44,860 | 1,710 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $38,090 | −3% | $31,740 | $48,150 | 40 |
| 35 | Michigan | $37,940 | −3% | $30,830 | $45,420 | 1,500 |
| 36 | Virginia | $37,820 | −4% | $31,180 | $54,910 | 2,010 |
| 37 | Florida | $37,740 | −4% | $31,100 | $46,270 | 4,910 |
| 38 | Indiana | $37,270 | −5% | $31,640 | $50,910 | 990 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $37,070 | −5% | $27,600 | $43,690 | 300 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $36,910 | −6% | $29,770 | $45,960 | 2,560 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $36,810 | −6% | $31,200 | $47,290 | 160 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $36,710 | −6% | $25,000 | $46,040 | 1,380 |
| 43 | Idaho | $36,110 | −8% | $26,150 | $45,660 | 410 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $35,880 | −8% | $25,580 | $42,390 | 750 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $35,780 | −9% | $25,700 | $42,550 | 590 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $34,890 | −11% | $29,640 | $39,440 | 240 |
| 47 | Alabama | $34,820 | −11% | $27,020 | $45,230 | 720 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $34,600 | −12% | $28,790 | $46,420 | 470 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $33,490 | −15% | $22,980 | $44,630 | 1,030 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $31,680 | −19% | $23,000 | $57,510 | 70 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $31,650 | −19% | $30,260 | $40,910 | 80 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Couriers and Messengers salary questions
Which state pays couriers and messengers the most?
Nevada, with a median of $46,520 a year (+19% vs. the national median of $39,200). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays couriers and messengers the least?
South Dakota, with a median of $31,650 a year (−19% vs. national).
Where do most couriers and messengers work?
New York has the most jobs, about 7,320, with a median of $38,740.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.