Couriers and Messengers salary in Illinois
Couriers and Messengers in Illinois earn a median of $39,100 a year ($18.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $39,200. Illinois ranks 23rd of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay. There are 0.22 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $40,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,520 | $15.64 |
| 25th percentile | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Median | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| 75th percentile | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Average (mean) | $40,880 | $19.65 |
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 | $3,258.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,629.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.85 |
| Weekly | $751.92 |
| Hourly | $18.80 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,680 | 540 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $41,130 | 810 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $59,750 | $28.72 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $48,680 | $23.40 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $49,560 | $23.83 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in Illinois is $39,100 a year, or $18.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in Illinois earn at least $47,550 a year. The top 25% earn $45,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,520 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $35,940 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in Illinois?
About 1,340 couriers and messengers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.