What Does a Courier Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a courier do?

Couriers and messengers pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages and other items within a local area or between businesses. The median pay is $39,200 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days to weeks, and employment is projected to grow +8.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$39,200
$18.85/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+8.0%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
23,800
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few days to weeks
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
228,900
Employment, 2025

What couriers do

Couriers deliver urgent items. They pick up and drop off documents, packages, lab specimens and legal filings by car, van, bike or on foot, get signatures, follow chain-of-custody rules and plan efficient routes.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Pick up items
Deliver items
Get signatures
Plan routes
Handle specimens safely
Track deliveries
Communicate with dispatch

Work environment and schedule

Couriers work on the road, on bikes and in buildings.

Schedule: Full or part time, with independent contractor options.

A day in the life

7:00 AMGet the route.
7:30 AMPick up lab specimens.
8:30 AMDeliver to the hospital lab.
10:00 AMFile court papers.

See a full day in the life of a courier →

Courier salary

Half of couriers earned more than $39,200 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,550 for the lowest 10% to $50,330 for the top 10%.

$31,55010th$39,200Median$50,33090th

Full courier pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a courier

Finish high school
Get a clean driving record
Apply to a courier company
Learn routes
Specialize

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a courier →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Route planning
Safe driving
Chain of custody
Specimen handling
Delivery apps

People skills

Reliability
Time management
Courtesy
Independence

All courier skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
Independence
Short training
Active work

Cons

Traffic and weather
Vehicle costs if contractor
Time pressure
Modest pay

Certifications and licenses

Driver’s license: Required for driving.
OSHA bloodborne pathogens: Medical couriers.
HIPAA training: Medical couriers.
Defensive driving: Helpful.

Career path

Courier: Entry.
Senior Courier: Specialized.
Dispatcher: Coordinate.
Operations Manager or Owner: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Courier training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as transport medical specimens safely and plan an efficient delivery route, safety and how to land your first job.

View Courier training Is this career right for me?

Delivery Driver

Deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route.

$44,860
1–2 weeks

Postal Mail Carrier

Deliver mail and packages to homes and businesses for the U.S. Postal Service.

$60,550
2–4 weeks

Shuttle Driver

Drive passengers in shuttles, vans and limousines.

$37,290
A few days to weeks

Route Sales Driver

Drive a route delivering products and taking orders from customers.

$38,770
A few weeks of training

Compare: Courier vs. Delivery Driver · Courier vs. Mail Carrier · Courier vs. Shuttle Driver · Courier vs. Route Sales Driver

Courier FAQ

Do couriers need a car?

Often, though some use bikes.

Is the job growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Are couriers employees?

Some are employees; many are contractors.

How much does a courier make?

The median annual wage for couriers was $39,200 ($18.85 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,550 and the highest 10% earned more than $50,330.

How long does it take to become a courier?

Most people need about A few days to weeks of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a courier?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-5021 (Couriers and messengers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Couriers and messengers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Courier