Couriers and Messengers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Couriers and Messengers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $41,130 a year ($19.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $39,200. Pay here is 5% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $39,100. There are 0.18 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $42,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| 25th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Median | $41,130 | $19.77 |
| 75th percentile | $46,390 | $22.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Average (mean) | $42,710 | $20.54 |
Half of couriers and messengers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,713.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.92 |
| Weekly | $790.96 |
| Hourly | $19.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Couriers and Messengers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,680 | 540 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $40,160 | 340 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $39,230 | 70 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,730 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,180 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,850 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $37,450 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $37,300 | 90 |
| Evansville, IN | $36,940 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $35,490 | 230 |
| Springfield, IL | $34,850 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for couriers and messengers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $46,520 |
| Washington | $46,500 |
| Vermont | $45,600 |
| District of Columbia | $45,210 |
| Oregon | $45,170 |
| Colorado | $45,140 |
| California | $44,970 |
| Minnesota | $44,860 |
| Utah | $42,840 |
| Massachusetts | $42,380 |
See Couriers and Messengers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $51,440 | $24.73 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a couriers and messengers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41,130 a year, or $19.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $49,310 a year. The top 25% earn $46,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,340 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $38,040 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 810 couriers and messengers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.