SOC 43-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Couriers and Messengers — Virginia
Virginia · 6 metro areas compared
At $37,820, median pay for Couriers and Messengers in Virginia tracks the national median of $39,200 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,820, median pay for Couriers and Messengers in Virginia tracks the national median of $39,200 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,400 and $45,390. The lowest tenth earn under $31,180, while the highest tenth earn more than $54,910.
Employment stands at 2,010, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Virginia ranks 36th by median wage. Winchester leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $41,480. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 668th of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,180 | −20.5% |
| 25th | $36,400 | −7.1% |
| Median (50th) | $37,820 | −3.5% |
| 75th | $45,390 | +15.8% |
| 90th | $54,910 | +40.1% |
| Mean | $41,330 | +5.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winchester | $41,480 | 40 | |
| 2 | Blacksburg | $39,340 | 50 | |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $38,580 | 40 | |
| 4 | Richmond | $38,270 | 280 | |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $37,820 | — | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $35,890 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $37,820 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$37,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,409US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,820 a year, 3.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,180 to $54,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,010 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Winchester, at $41,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Couriers and Messengers in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $37,820, or $18.18 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 Virginia is 3.5% 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 Virginia earns more than $54,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,180 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 Winchester, at $41,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,010 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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