Couriers and Messengers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Couriers and Messengers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA make a median of $44,080 a year, or about $21.19 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $38,813 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 85.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $44K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim’s Regional Price Parity (113.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level couriers and messengers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K. Top earners bring in $51K or more, a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Couriers and Messengers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $45K | +16% | 8,970 |
| Washington | $44K | +15% | 1,670 |
| District of Columbia | $44K | +15% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $44K | +14% | 640 |
| Nevada | $42K | +11% | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $42K | +10% | 1,170 |
| Oregon | $42K | +9% | 770 |
| Utah | $42K | +9% | 1,040 |
| Maine | $40K | +4% | 40 |
| New York | $40K | +4% | 7,530 |
| New Jersey | $40K | +4% | 2,490 |
| Illinois | $40K | +3% | 1,560 |
| Vermont | $40K | +3% | 60 |
| Missouri | $40K | +3% | 1,390 |
| Alaska | $39K | +2% | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $39K | +2% | 710 |
| Montana | $39K | +1% | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $39K | +1% | 190 |
| Rhode Island | $38K | +0% | 150 |
| Virginia | $38K | +0% | 2,760 |
| North Carolina | $38K | -0% | 3,760 |
| Wyoming | $38K | -0% | 110 |
| Maryland | $38K | -1% | 1,110 |
| Iowa | $38K | -2% | 720 |
| Ohio | $38K | -2% | 2,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $38K | -2% | 3,050 |
| Delaware | $38K | -2% | 350 |
| Hawaii | $37K | -2% | 440 |
| Indiana | $37K | -2% | 1,020 |
| Idaho | $37K | -3% | 230 |
| Texas | $37K | -3% | 4,380 |
| West Virginia | $37K | -3% | 290 |
| Arizona | $37K | -3% | 1,010 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | -3% | 2,110 |
| Georgia | $37K | -3% | 1,840 |
| Michigan | $37K | -3% | 1,700 |
| New Mexico | $37K | -4% | 370 |
| Florida | $37K | -4% | 5,650 |
| Tennessee | $37K | -4% | 2,080 |
| North Dakota | $36K | -5% | 50 |
| Kentucky | $36K | -5% | 850 |
| Kansas | $36K | -7% | 440 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -8% | 290 |
| South Carolina | $35K | -8% | 1,120 |
| Mississippi | $35K | -9% | 480 |
| South Dakota | $33K | -13% | 70 |
| Alabama | $32K | -17% | 1,020 |
| Nebraska | $30K | -23% | 670 |
| Louisiana | $30K | -23% | 1,120 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track couriers and messengers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do couriers and messengers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $44,080 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,250, and experienced couriers and messengers can clear $51,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,043/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month, which eats 85.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a couriers and messengers salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median couriers and messengers salary is worth about $38,813 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do couriers and messengers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.