Couriers and Messengers salary in District of Columbia
Couriers and Messengers in District of Columbia earn a median of $45,210 a year ($21.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,540 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $39,200. District of Columbia ranks 4th of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $46,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| 25th percentile | $41,190 | $19.80 |
| Median | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| 75th percentile | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,540 | $26.70 |
| Average (mean) | $46,650 | $22.43 |
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 | $3,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,738.85 |
| Weekly | $869.42 |
| Hourly | $21.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Couriers and Messengers salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $44,840 | 1,010 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $49,060 | $23.59 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in District of Columbia is $45,210 a year, or $21.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in District of Columbia earn at least $55,540 a year. The top 25% earn $49,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,930 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $41,190 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in District of Columbia?
About 120 couriers and messengers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.