Courier and Messenger Salary in Madison, WI
Couriers and Messengers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $41,080 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,161 take-home, or $2,847 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median courier and messenger salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,750
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,547
- Medicare (1.45%)$596
- Wisconsin income tax$1,026
- Take-home pay$34,161
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Courier and Messenger pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,720 | $16.69 | $29,331 | $2,444 |
| 25th percentile | $36,060 | $17.34 | $30,349 | $2,529 |
| Median (50th) | $41,080 | $19.75 | $34,161 | $2,847 |
| 75th percentile | $44,360 | $21.33 | $36,652 | $3,054 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,740 | $22.95 | $39,220 | $3,268 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,080 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median courier and messenger's $34,161 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,114 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 2.8× the national concentration of courier and messenger jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for couriers and messengers, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #10 of 33 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis, TN | $44,040 | $37,566 | $40,753 |
| 2 | Knoxville, TN | $42,610 | $36,417 | $39,341 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $42,800 | $36,570 | $37,960 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $42,680 | $35,405 | $37,234 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $48,510 | $41,158 | $37,035 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,250 | $34,831 | $36,791 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $46,170 | $37,955 | $35,880 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $38,970 | $32,284 | $35,710 |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $41,080 | $34,161 | $35,114 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 33 metros →
Courier and Messenger salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $36,560
Frequently asked questions
How much does a courier and messenger make in Madison, WI?
The median courier and messenger salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $41,080 a year, or about $19.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,060 and $44,360.
What is a courier and messenger’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $41,080 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $34,161 a year ($2,847 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,026 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a courier and messenger?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $39,200. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,114 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #10 of 33 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a courier and messenger afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median courier and messenger’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $75,290
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $70,800
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $60,760
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $60,020
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $53,550
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $53,240
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $51,410
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $50,320
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $49,570
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $48,380
- Customer Service Representative — $47,500
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $47,200