Couriers and Messengers
SOC Code: 43-5021 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Couriers and Messengers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,970 | $49,546 | $54,142 | $58,718 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $38,875 | $45,365 | $51,875 | $58,365 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $38,875 | $45,157 | $51,438 | $57,720 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $37,253 | $43,680 | $50,086 | $56,514 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $37,669 | $43,950 | $50,232 | $56,514 |
| Merced, CA | $39,936 | $45,157 | $50,378 | $55,598 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $41,808 | $46,197 | $50,565 | $54,954 |
| Modesto, CA | $36,525 | $42,640 | $48,776 | $54,891 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $42,744 | $46,509 | $50,253 | $54,018 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $42,952 | $46,197 | $49,442 | $52,686 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.2 | |
| Time Management | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Writing | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 | |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.8 |
| Transportation | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.4 |
| Administrative | 2.3 |
| Geography | 2.2 |
| Law and Government | 2.1 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 74.3% |
| Associate's degree | 13.1% |
| Some college | 9.3% |
| Less than high school | 3.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
- Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
- Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.
- Receive messages or materials to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and delivery instructions, communicated via telephone, two-way radio, or in person.
- Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods.
- Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.
- Sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route.
- Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Route mapping software
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