43
Couriers and Messengers is a notable career in the 43 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Couriers and Messengers against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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13
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13
| soc | 43-5021 |
| title | Couriers and Messengers |
| onet code | 43-5021.00 |
| description | 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. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 43 |
| tot emp | 71,920 |
| a mean | 40,060 |
| a median | 38,340 |
| a pct10 | 29,880 |
| a pct25 | 35,130 |
| a pct75 | 44,630 |
| a pct90 | 50,590 |
| h mean | 19 |
| h median | 18 |
The day-to-day work of a couriers and messengers typically centers on deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Active Listening, Time Management, and Speaking. Across the top 7 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.11 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working couriers and messengers, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (74.3%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Colorado at $44,610 and lowest in Louisiana at $29,520 — a 1.5× spread. The top five states (Colorado, California, Washington, District of Columbia, Minnesota) average $44,256. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $44,610 | $45,170 | $34,510 | $57,120 | 690 |
| California | $44,600 | $45,220 | $35,530 | $57,020 | 8,970 |
| Washington | $44,170 | $44,640 | $36,690 | $55,760 | 1,670 |
| District of Columbia | $44,010 | $45,900 | $38,890 | $52,320 | — |
| Minnesota | $43,890 | $43,870 | $34,720 | $56,460 | 640 |
| Nevada | $42,490 | $41,700 | $30,120 | $49,610 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $42,250 | $41,920 | $33,900 | $50,130 | 1,170 |
| Oregon | $41,870 | $42,550 | $34,110 | $50,620 | 770 |
| Utah | $41,600 | $41,370 | $35,860 | $46,560 | 1,040 |
| Maine | $40,020 | $40,410 | $36,940 | $45,550 | 40 |
| New York | $39,780 | $44,310 | $34,480 | $57,990 | 7,530 |
| New Jersey | $39,710 | $42,780 | $34,880 | $53,110 | 2,490 |
| Illinois | $39,680 | $40,420 | $30,860 | $46,160 | 1,560 |
| Vermont | $39,600 | $39,880 | $35,360 | $44,810 | 60 |
| Missouri | $39,520 | $38,460 | $29,120 | $46,390 | 1,390 |
| Alaska | $39,170 | $41,220 | $35,890 | $48,930 | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $39,090 | $37,760 | $26,820 | $49,060 | 710 |
| Montana | $38,780 | $38,840 | $32,440 | $48,380 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $38,620 | $39,580 | $25,460 | $52,000 | 190 |
| Rhode Island | $38,420 | $41,500 | $35,760 | $51,150 | 150 |
| Virginia | $38,380 | $41,570 | $31,080 | $54,000 | 2,760 |
| North Carolina | $38,260 | $39,110 | $29,680 | $48,520 | 3,760 |
| Wyoming | $38,230 | $39,470 | $22,350 | $55,890 | 110 |
| Maryland | $38,010 | $39,430 | $32,890 | $48,410 | 1,110 |
| Iowa | $37,730 | $36,920 | $29,940 | $40,800 | 720 |
| Ohio | $37,680 | $38,110 | $30,550 | $44,960 | 2,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,590 | $37,590 | $29,060 | $46,430 | 3,050 |
| Delaware | $37,560 | $37,360 | $33,990 | $40,010 | 350 |
| Hawaii | $37,480 | $38,840 | $35,350 | $44,140 | 440 |
| Indiana | $37,470 | $38,110 | $30,620 | $49,270 | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $37,360 | $38,210 | $30,720 | $46,170 | 230 |
| Texas | $37,310 | $37,100 | $27,570 | $45,790 | 4,380 |
| West Virginia | $37,260 | $34,350 | $23,960 | $39,250 | 290 |
| Arizona | $37,220 | $37,250 | $29,850 | $44,620 | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | $37,170 | $36,640 | $24,080 | $45,930 | 2,110 |
| Georgia | $37,140 | $38,890 | $28,080 | $47,840 | 1,840 |
| Michigan | $37,130 | $38,230 | $30,160 | $47,850 | 1,700 |
| New Mexico | $36,790 | $36,120 | $28,200 | $42,960 | 370 |
| Florida | $36,760 | $37,640 | $29,730 | $45,480 | 5,650 |
| Tennessee | $36,690 | $36,680 | $26,730 | $47,150 | 2,080 |
| North Dakota | $36,400 | $40,270 | $33,230 | $49,930 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $36,350 | $36,520 | $27,200 | $44,490 | 850 |
| Kansas | $35,520 | $34,790 | $22,620 | $44,910 | 440 |
| Arkansas | $35,430 | $34,630 | $25,540 | $41,280 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $35,360 | $33,850 | $23,570 | $44,000 | 1,120 |
| Mississippi | $34,930 | $33,820 | $22,310 | $44,030 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $33,400 | $35,260 | $29,890 | $43,210 | 70 |
| Alabama | $31,870 | $32,730 | $22,460 | $39,780 | 1,020 |
| Nebraska | $29,570 | $34,290 | $25,860 | $48,060 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $29,520 | $31,120 | $21,530 | $42,690 | 1,120 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for couriers and messengers. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Bank Courier or Bank Messenger frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Couriers and Messengers compares to others in the 43 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Couriers and Messengers
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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