Couriers and messengers
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 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $38,340 in the US and is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Time Management, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,677 a year for Postal workers, mail sorters and messengers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £28,292 to £36,381 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 9211). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Geography
- Law and Government
- Medicine and Dentistry
What you'd actually do
- Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
- Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
- Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.
- 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.
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Couriers and messengers do?
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.
How much does Couriers and messengers earn?
The median annual salary for Couriers and messengers in the US is $38,340.
What is the job outlook for Couriers and messengers?
The role is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 247,200 workers.
How do I become couriers and messengers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Couriers and messengers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Time Management, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Couriers and messengers?
Our AI-durability model gives Couriers and messengers a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Couriers and messengers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.