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The 10 Best States for Couriers in 2026
Couriers continue to play a vital role in the American job market, with opportunities available across the entire country. The profession has evolved significantly in the past few years, adapting to changes in consumer behavior and technology. As we move through 2026, let’s explore the best states for couriers where job availability, competitive pay, and potential career growth are at their highest.
Our analysis at Zippia utilized data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to identify the states that offer the most favorable conditions for couriers.
After analyzing the data, here are the top states for couriers in 2026:
These states not only provide ample job opportunities for couriers but also ensure fair compensation across various experience levels.
How We Determined the Best States for Couriers
At Zippia, we engage with a diverse range of job seekers and understand their priorities. Our research highlighted two primary factors that job seekers look for:
- Availability of jobs
- Competitive salaries
To identify the best states for couriers, we examined where the jobs are most plentiful and how couriers are compensated. The criteria used in our analysis were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics for 2026:
- Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent a job is in a specific state.
- Average annual salary for couriers.
- Average annual salary for entry-level positions.
- Average annual salary for experienced professionals.
To provide a fair comparison across states, we adjusted salary figures based on the cost of living. This ensures that higher salaries in states with a higher cost of living are contextualized appropriately, allowing for a more accurate understanding of what those salaries can actually afford.
We evaluated each state against our criteria, ranking them from 1 to 50, with 1 being the best. The overall rank was calculated by averaging the scores across all criteria, leading us to identify the states that offer the best environments for couriers.
1. Tennessee
Total Jobs: 1,670
Average Annual Salary: $33,450
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,190
Average Experienced Salary: $57,040
Location Quotient: 1.08
2. Michigan
Total Jobs: 2,240
Average Annual Salary: $28,110
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,990
Average Experienced Salary: $37,550
Location Quotient: 0.99
3. Kansas
Total Jobs: 660
Average Annual Salary: $29,620
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,890
Average Experienced Salary: $40,290
Location Quotient: 0.92
4. Washington
Total Jobs: 1,180
Average Annual Salary: $35,720
Average Entry Level Salary: $26,590
Average Experienced Salary: $45,780
Location Quotient: 0.69
5. Oklahoma
Total Jobs: 840
Average Annual Salary: $29,290
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,320
Average Experienced Salary: $41,150
Location Quotient: 1.0
6. Colorado
Total Jobs: 1,110
Average Annual Salary: $32,470
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,800
Average Experienced Salary: $45,950
Location Quotient: 0.81
7. Georgia
Total Jobs: 2,310
Average Annual Salary: $28,270
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,250
Average Experienced Salary: $38,320
Location Quotient: 1.0
8. Arizona
Total Jobs: 1,370
Average Annual Salary: $30,440
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,860
Average Experienced Salary: $40,230
Location Quotient: 0.94
9. Kentucky
Total Jobs: 930
Average Annual Salary: $28,300
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,360
Average Experienced Salary: $38,760
Location Quotient: 0.94
10. Florida
Total Jobs: 4,410
Average Annual Salary: $30,320
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,660
Average Experienced Salary: $44,800
Location Quotient: 0.98
There You Have It – The Best States to Be a Courier
If you’re starting your career as a courier, these states should be at the top of your list. They offer competitive salaries, numerous job openings, and opportunities for career growth.
For a broader perspective, here are the states considered less favorable for courier positions:
For more insights on the job market, check out:
Detailed List of the Best States for Couriers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | $33,450 |
| 2 | Michigan | $28,110 |
| 3 | Kansas | $29,620 |
| 4 | Washington | $35,720 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | $29,290 |
| 6 | Colorado | $32,470 |
| 7 | Georgia | $28,270 |
| 8 | Arizona | $30,440 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $28,300 |
| 10 | Florida | $30,320 |
| 11 | Virginia | $32,490 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $27,050 |
| 13 | Missouri | $29,120 |
| 14 | Oregon | $34,160 |
| 15 | Delaware | $30,420 |
| 16 | Ohio | $28,750 |
| 17 | Iowa | $27,730 |
| 18 | Texas | $27,390 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $35,010 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $26,260 |
| 21 | Indiana | $27,780 |
| 22 | Utah | $28,760 |
| 23 | Illinois | $29,280 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $28,460 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $30,530 |
| 26 | Alabama | $25,540 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $28,680 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $27,710 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $29,270 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $24,970 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $25,990 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $24,990 |
| 33 | New York | $33,620 |
| 34 | Alaska | $32,840 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $24,900 |
| 36 | Nevada | $27,080 |
| 37 | Vermont | $31,840 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $33,620 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $25,380 |
| 40 | Idaho | $24,770 |
| 41 | California | $34,620 |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $32,750 |
| 43 | Maine | $29,920 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $34,410 |
| 45 | Montana | $26,870 |
| 46 | Maryland | $34,090 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $30,680 |
| 48 | New Hampshire | $27,480 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $25,380 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
