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The differences between couriers and messengers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a courier and a messenger. Additionally, a courier has an average salary of $36,228, which is higher than the $34,787 average annual salary of a messenger.
The top three skills for a courier include delivery service, safety policies and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a messenger are customer deposits, customer service, and ATM.
| Courier | Messenger | |
| Yearly salary | $36,228 | $34,787 |
| Hourly rate | $17.42 | $16.72 |
| Growth rate | 11% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 13,088 | 399 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A messenger takes messages, packages, and other items to requested addresses. The mode of transport used to perform deliveries varies for each messenger. They are required to pick up documents and goods, deliver to predetermined locations, work within preferred practices of the industry and their employers, and ensure deliveries are punctual. This role requires someone who is familiar with traffic, routes, and all locations within a working area.
Couriers and messengers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Courier | Messenger | |
| Average salary | $36,228 | $34,787 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $44,000 | Between $20,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | - |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a courier and a messenger in terms of educational background:
| Courier | Messenger | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between couriers' and messengers' demographics:
| Courier | Messenger | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| 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, 13.3% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |