Couriers and Messengers salary in South Dakota
Couriers and Messengers in South Dakota earn a median of $31,650 a year ($15.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,910 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $39,200. South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay. There are 0.17 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $34,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| 25th percentile | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| Median | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| 75th percentile | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Average (mean) | $34,170 | $16.43 |
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 | $2,637.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,318.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,217.31 |
| Weekly | $608.65 |
| Hourly | $15.22 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $34,400 | 40 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,550 | $14.69 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in South Dakota is $31,650 a year, or $15.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in South Dakota earn at least $40,910 a year. The top 25% earn $36,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,260 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $30,900 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in South Dakota?
About 80 couriers and messengers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.