Courier Salary Overview
The average salary for a courier in the United States is approximately $26,266 per year. Wages typically start from $20,062 and can go up to $34,387, which positions couriers 59% below the national average as of 2023.
Average Salary Breakdown
- Bottom 20%:
- Annual: $20,062
- Hourly: $9.65
- 25th Percentile:
- Annual: $22,793
- Hourly: $10.96
- Median (50th Percentile):
- Annual: $26,266
- Hourly: $12.63
- 75th Percentile:
- Annual: $30,267
- Hourly: $14.55
- Top 20% (90th Percentile):
- Annual: $34,387
- Hourly: $16.53
Average Salary by State
Courier salaries can vary significantly by state. Here is a comprehensive list of average salaries by state:
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Massachusetts | $37,630 |
| Connecticut | $37,450 |
| New York | $37,430 |
| Alaska | $37,410 |
| Colorado | $37,400 |
| Oregon | $37,230 |
| Nevada | $37,150 |
| California | $36,810 |
| Washington | $36,780 |
| Hawaii | $36,590 |
| Maryland | $36,590 |
| New Jersey | $36,590 |
| Rhode Island | $36,590 |
| Vermont | $36,360 |
| Minnesota | $34,980 |
| Michigan | $34,970 |
| North Dakota | $33,060 |
| Texas | $31,830 |
| Utah | $31,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,390 |
| Maine | $30,280 |
| Wyoming | $30,090 |
| Montana | $30,030 |
| Virginia | $29,950 |
| Illinois | $29,890 |
| Iowa | $29,800 |
| Ohio | $29,800 |
| Arizona | $29,790 |
| New Hampshire | $29,690 |
| Tennessee | $29,670 |
| South Dakota | $29,650 |
| Arkansas | $29,630 |
| North Carolina | $29,510 |
| Florida | $29,440 |
| Kentucky | $29,420 |
| Louisiana | $29,420 |
| Missouri | $29,180 |
| Wisconsin | $29,010 |
| Idaho | $29,000 |
| Georgia | $28,990 |
| Kansas | $28,820 |
| New Mexico | $28,820 |
| Oklahoma | $28,820 |
| Indiana | $28,720 |
| South Carolina | $28,720 |
| West Virginia | $28,520 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $27,530 |
| Mississippi | $27,260 |
| Alabama | $24,840 |
| Delaware | $23,930 |
| Nebraska | $23,910 |
| Guam | $22,440 |
| Puerto Rico | $19,190 |
Comparison with Similar Careers
Courier salaries are comparable to several other careers, generally earning less than firefighters and about the same as administrative assistants. Here’s a comparison of median salaries for related careers:
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | $29,000 |
| Administrative Assistant | $29,000 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $29,000 |
| Family Social Worker | $28,000 |
| Postal Service Worker | $27,000 |
| Courier | $26,000 |
| Makeup Artist | $20,000 |
| Stock Clerk | $23,000 |
| Esthetician | $21,000 |
| Shipping and Receiving Clerk | $20,000 |
Summary
Couriers earn a modest salary, which can vary widely based on location and experience. While the field provides essential services, especially in the growing e-commerce sector, couriers often face challenges in achieving higher wages compared to some other professions.
Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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