Courier and Messenger salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A courier and messenger earns a median of $39,200 a year ($18.85 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $40,970. About 68,640 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $39,200
- Gross pay
- $1,507.69
- Federal income tax
- −$97.08
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$93.48
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.86
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,295.28
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $39,200
- Federal
- $2,524
- FICA
- $2,999
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $33,677
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator: $39,280
- Switchboard Operator: $38,630
- Receptionist and Information Clerk: $38,010
- Gambling Cage Worker: $37,580
- Office Machine Operator: $40,960
- Data Entry Keyer: $41,340
- Library Assistant: $36,910
- Telephone Operator: $41,740
BLS occupation: Couriers and Messengers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 43-5021). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a courier and messenger make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.85; the average is $19.70.
What is the salary range for a courier and messenger?
The bottom 10% earn under $31,550 and the top 10% earn over $50,330 a year.
How much is $39,200 after taxes?
About $33,677 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $32,617 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.