What Couriers and Messengers Do

Couriers and messengers transport documents and packages for individuals, businesses, institutions, and government agencies.

Duties

Couriers and messengers typically do the following:

• Pick up and deliver items to their final destinations
• Verify delivery information, such as names, addresses, and telephone numbers
• Load items onto delivery vehicles
• Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivery
• Collect necessary payments and signatures from clients
• Record delivery information, such as time of delivery and recipient’s name

Couriers and messengers provide door-to-door delivery service for a variety of clients, including law offices, banks, and hospitals. Most workers specialize in local deliveries, often in large urban areas. They offer same-day or 1-hour delivery services. Packages delivered may include important legal or financial documents, passports, and medical samples that senders are unwilling to entrust to other means of delivery.

Couriers and messengers receive their instructions either in person or by cell phone or two-way radio. With this information, they plan the most efficient route and delivery schedule.

Some couriers and messengers carry items only for specific clients, such as law firms, financial institutions, or medical laboratories.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition