Couriers and Messengers salary in Washington
Couriers and Messengers in Washington earn a median of $46,500 a year ($22.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,370 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $39,200. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for couriers and messengers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.33 couriers and messengers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $47,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $41,460 | $19.93 |
| Median | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| 75th percentile | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| Average (mean) | $47,020 | $22.61 |
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 | $3,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,937.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,788.46 |
| Weekly | $894.23 |
| Hourly | $22.36 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48,510 | 660 |
| Bellingham, WA | $45,920 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,650 | 520 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $39,710 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $38,190 | 90 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Customer Service Representative | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,480 | $38.21 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for couriers and messengers in Washington is $46,500 a year, or $22.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid couriers and messengers make in Washington?
The top 10% of couriers and messengers in Washington earn at least $55,370 a year. The top 25% earn $51,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for couriers and messengers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of couriers and messengers earn $41,460 or less.
How many couriers and messengers work in Washington?
About 1,190 couriers and messengers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.