Couriers and Messengers pay in California
In California, the median pay for couriers and messengers is $21.62 an hour ($44,970 a year). About 7,240 people work in this job there.
That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($39,200). California ranks 7th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for couriers and messengers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.41 | $36,200 |
| 25% of workers | $18.95 | $39,420 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.62 | $44,970 |
| 75% of workers | $23.31 | $48,480 |
| 90% of workers | $27.58 | $57,360 |
Couriers and Messengers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $55,680 | 390 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $47,840 | 940 |
| Modesto | $47,020 | 110 |
| Napa | $46,060 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $44,760 | 470 |
| Fresno | $44,370 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $43,760 | 3,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $42,440 | 690 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $40,910 | 170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $39,630 | 120 |
| Visalia | $39,600 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $39,160 | 390 |
| Redding | $39,110 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $38,390 | 130 |
| Salinas | $37,920 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $37,510 | 70 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for couriers and messengers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: Up to 1 month (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +8% over ten years, much faster than average · about 23,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $46,520 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $45,600 |
| Postal Service Mail Carriers | $62,090 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $52,350 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $57,690 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $59,490 |
| Postal Service Clerks | $63,650 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.