Couriers and Messengers salary in California
Couriers and Messengers in California earn a median of $44,970 a year ($21.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $39,200. California ranks 7th of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay. There are 0.40 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,200 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Median | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| 75th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Average (mean) | $45,870 | $22.05 |
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 | $3,747.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,873.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,729.62 |
| Weekly | $864.81 |
| Hourly | $21.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Couriers and Messengers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $55,680 | 390 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $47,840 | 940 |
| Modesto, CA | $47,020 | 110 |
| Napa, CA | $46,060 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,760 | 470 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,370 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,760 | 3,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $42,440 | 690 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $40,910 | 170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $39,630 | 120 |
| Visalia, CA | $39,600 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $39,160 | 390 |
| Redding, CA | $39,110 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,390 | 130 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,920 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,510 | 70 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $57,690 | $27.73 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,230 | $28.48 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in California is $44,970 a year, or $21.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in California?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in California earn at least $57,360 a year. The top 25% earn $48,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,200 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $39,420 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in California?
About 7,240 couriers and messengers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.