SOC 43-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Couriers and Messengers — Louisiana
Louisiana · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Louisiana is $33,490 a year, trailing the national median of $39,200 by 14.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Louisiana is $33,490 a year, trailing the national median of $39,200 by 14.6%. Half of workers earn between $29,020 and $38,630. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,980 and the ninetieth at $44,630.
The area has 1,030 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Louisiana ranks 49th by median wage. Shreveport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 590th of 679 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,980 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $29,020 | −26.0% |
| Median (50th) | $33,490 | −14.6% |
| 75th | $38,630 | −1.5% |
| 90th | $44,630 | +13.9% |
| Mean | $33,900 | −13.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $35,990 | 120 | |
| 2 | Lafayette | $35,340 | 100 | |
| 3 | New Orleans | $34,100 | 310 | |
| 4 | Alexandria | $32,770 | 30 | |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $32,130 | 60 | |
| 6 | Baton Rouge | $31,910 | 210 | |
| 7 | Monroe | $31,200 | 40 | |
| 8 | Houma | $30,190 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $33,490 goes as far as $37,971 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,971US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,490 a year, 14.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,980 to $44,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,030 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 49th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Shreveport, at $35,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Couriers and Messengers in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $33,490, or $16.10 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $39,200, so pay in Louisiana is 14.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Louisiana earns more than $44,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,980 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Shreveport, at $35,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,030 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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