Couriers and Messengers salary in Iowa
Couriers and Messengers in Iowa earn a median of $38,460 a year ($18.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,840 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $39,200. Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay. There are 0.38 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,460, close to the median.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 25th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Median | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| 75th percentile | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| Average (mean) | $38,460 | $18.49 |
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 | $3,205 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,602.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,479.23 |
| Weekly | $739.62 |
| Hourly | $18.49 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $39,270 | 190 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $56,770 | $27.30 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $48,180 | $23.17 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,150 | $21.71 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in Iowa is $38,460 a year, or $18.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in Iowa earn at least $42,840 a year. The top 25% earn $40,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,180 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $36,250 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in Iowa?
About 580 couriers and messengers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.