Couriers and Messengers vs. Office Clerks, General: Who Earns More?
Office Clerks, General out-earn Couriers and Messengers by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Couriers and Messengers land at $39,200 and Office Clerks, General at $45,010. The education gap is real: couriers and messenger programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while office clerks, general programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Couriers and Messengers is Nevada ($46,520); for Office Clerks, General it's District of Columbia ($55,040).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Couriers and Messengers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Couriers and Messengers or Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General earn more nationally. The median is $39,200 for Couriers and Messengers versus $45,010 for Office Clerks, General, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Couriers and Messengers or Office Clerks, General?
Couriers and Messengers has the better 10-year outlook at 8.2% projected growth, compared to -6.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Couriers and Messengers or Office Clerks, General?
Couriers and Messengers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Office Clerks, General requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Couriers and Messengers get paid the most?
Nevada is the top-paying state for Couriers and Messengers at $46,520/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Couriers and Messengers vs. Office Clerks, General pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Couriers and Messengers earn $46,500 vs. $50,500 for Office Clerks, General. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.