SOC 43-5021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Couriers and Messengers — Washington
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC comes to $44,840 a year, ahead of the national median of $39,200 by 14.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Washington, DC comes to $44,840 a year, ahead of the national median of $39,200 by 14.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $40,630 and $48,740. The lowest tenth earn under $36,770, while the highest tenth earn more than $59,570.
Employment stands at 1,010, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 613th of 707 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,770 | −6.2% |
| 25th | $40,630 | +3.6% |
| Median (50th) | $44,840 | +14.4% |
| 75th | $48,740 | +24.3% |
| 90th | $59,570 | +52.0% |
| Mean | $47,060 | +20.1% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $44,840 buys what $40,801 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,801US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,840 a year, 14.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,770 to $59,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,010 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Couriers and Messengers in Washington, DC?
The median annual wage is $44,840, or $21.56 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 Washington, DC is 14.4% higher. 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 Washington, DC earns more than $59,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,770 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,010 jobs in this occupation in Washington, DC. 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.
Explore related data