What is a Courier or Messenger?
Job 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.
Courier or Messenger Responsibilities
- Call by telephone to deliver verbal messages.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming mail.
- Check with home offices after completed deliveries to confirm deliveries and collections and to receive instructions for other deliveries.
- Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.
- Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
- Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
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Courier or Messenger 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
- Outside Deliverer
- Telephone Messenger
- Telegraph Office Route Aide
- Caller
- Call Person
Courier or Messenger Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 95,000 jobs in the United States for Courier or Messenger. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,100 job openings in this field each 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.
Courier or Messenger Average Salary
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.
How much do Couriers and Messengers make in each U.S. state?
| 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
Becoming a Courier or Messenger
What kind of Courier or Messenger requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Courier or Messenger?
Where do Couriers and Messengers Work?
Couriers and Messengers work in the following industries:
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.
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