Couriers and Messengers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Couriers and Messengers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $39,270 a year ($18.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,500 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $39,200. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $38,460. There are 0.48 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Median | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| 75th percentile | $42,050 | $20.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Average (mean) | $39,360 | $18.93 |
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 | $3,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,636.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,510.38 |
| Weekly | $755.19 |
| Hourly | $18.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $39,020 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $38,770 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,410 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,180 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $35,080 | 170 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,690 | $34.47 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $39,270 a year, or $18.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $43,500 a year. The top 25% earn $42,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,270 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $37,020 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 190 couriers and messengers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.