Couriers and Messengers salary in New York
Couriers and Messengers in New York earn a median of $38,740 a year ($18.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,840 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $39,200. New York ranks 28th of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay. There are 0.76 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| 25th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Median | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| 75th percentile | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Average (mean) | $43,750 | $21.03 |
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 | $3,228.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,614.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,490 |
| Weekly | $745 |
| Hourly | $18.63 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $41,140 | 6,690 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $41,030 | 190 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $37,680 | 220 |
| Rochester, NY | $37,520 | 380 |
| Syracuse, NY | $37,040 | 270 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $36,740 | 630 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $36,500 | 100 |
| Binghamton, NY | $36,460 | 60 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $56,960 | $27.38 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $80,640 | $38.77 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in New York is $38,740 a year, or $18.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in New York?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in New York earn at least $56,840 a year. The top 25% earn $46,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,190 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $36,740 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in New York?
About 7,320 couriers and messengers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.