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.
Couriers and Messengers
SOC: 43-5021 O*NET: 43-5021.00
Median Salary
$38,340
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.2%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
27.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Couriers and Messengers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,130
25th percentile
Median
$38,340
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,630
75th percentile
Top Earners
$50,590
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,880
25th
$35,130
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,340
Mean: $40,060
75th
$44,630
90th
$50,590
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,710 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,130 and $44,630
- •Salary spread is 24.8% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 71,920 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:247,200
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services28.6%
Couriers and Messengers25.7%
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories23.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+8.2%
Annual Openings:27,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)247,200
Current
2034 (Projected)267,600
+8.2%
+20,400
Employment Change
+8.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Couriers and Messengers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,970 jobs$44,6001.07x
New York
7,530 jobs$39,7801.69x
Florida
5,650 jobs$36,7601.23x
Texas
4,380 jobs$37,3100.68x
North Carolina
3,760 jobs$38,2601.65x
Pennsylvania
3,050 jobs$37,5901.09x
Virginia
2,760 jobs$38,3801.46x
New Jersey
2,490 jobs$39,7101.26x
Wisconsin
2,110 jobs$37,1701.55x
Ohio
2,080 jobs$37,6800.81x
Tennessee
2,080 jobs$36,6901.36x
Georgia
1,840 jobs$37,1400.81x
Michigan
1,700 jobs$37,1300.83x
Washington
1,670 jobs$44,1701.01x
Illinois
1,560 jobs$39,6800.55x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Time Management
90%
#3
Active Listening
80%
#4
Service Orientation
70%
#5
Reading Comprehension
60%
#6
Writing
50%
#7
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Time Management
advanced4.5
90%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.5
70%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.5
50%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Time Management
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance50%
skills
2.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Meter Readers, Utilities86%
5 shared skills
Correspondence Clerks78%
5 shared skills
File Clerks78%
5 shared skills
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage78%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General78%
5 shared skills
Library Assistants, Clerical75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Couriers and Messengers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Receive 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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Check with home offices after completed deliveries to confirm deliveries and collections and to receive instructions for other deliveries.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Couriers and Messengers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Couriers and Messengers professionals typically have a CRS Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Couriers and Messengers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.56
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.40
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.84
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.77
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.69
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Integrity
4.4
Independence
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Cooperation
3.7
Concern for Others
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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