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The differences between couriers and carriers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a carrier has an average salary of $37,242, which is higher than the $36,228 average annual salary of a courier.
The top three skills for a courier include delivery service, safety policies and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a carrier are logistics, newspapers, and delivery sequence.
A courier, also known as a messenger, is an individual who delivers goods to consumers or businesses. Those could be important documents, special packages, items, and even messages from one person to another. Their means of transportation vary from roller skates, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks, and airplanes. Some even travel by foot or any public transportation depending on the target location. Some are employees dedicated to companies, while others are freelancers who provide delivery services.
The duties of a carrier primarily depend on their industry or organization of employment. In the logistics industry, a carrier is responsible for delivering goods in a timely and efficient manner. Their tasks usually include traveling to different areas to deliver or pick-up packages, handling documentation, coordinating with logistics managers, and communicating with the clients to answer any inquiries or provide delivery updates. Moreover, a carrier performs regular vehicle maintenance checks and complies with traffic rules and regulations for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Couriers and carriers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Courier | Carrier | |
| Average salary | $36,228 | $37,242 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $44,000 | Between $19,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Professional |
There are a few differences between a courier and a carrier in terms of educational background:
| Courier | Carrier | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between couriers' and carriers' demographics:
| Courier | Carrier | |
| Average age | 39 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |