Couriers, Messengers, and Door-to-door Distributors

(NOC 1513)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors pick up and deliver letters, parcels, packages, newspapers, flyers and other items within and between establishments. They are employed by courier service companies and other establishments throughout the private and public sectors.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate stable employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 115 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 6600 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Couriers, Messengers, and Door-to-door Distributors may either be working full-time or part-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.

The median employment income for 47% of Couriers, Messengers, and Door-to-door Distributors who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $37,436. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.00

Minimum

$16.10

Median

$26.56

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,599

Minimum

$15,690

Median

$56,447

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.03

Median

$35.90

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors perform some or all of the following duties:

Pick up messages, letters, envelopes, parcels, airline tickets, legal documents, packages, bonds, cheques, securities and other items from customers, and hand-deliver those to addresses within an establishment or in other establishments by walking or cycling within prescribed time periods.
Collect payment for items delivered.
Keep record of items received and delivered using delivery information acquisition devices.
Deliver newspapers, flyers, handbills, telephone directories and similar items to residences and businesses.

Sample job titles

courier
delivery person - courier service
door-to-door distributor
flyer distributor
mail courier - courier service
messenger-clerk
newspaper carrier and vendor
newspaper deliverer
office messenger
runner - courier service

Skills

To work in this field, you must be organized, responsible, and reliable. Your work must be accurate.

Job requirements

High school education may be required.
Eligibility for bonding may be required.

Other considerations

The increased usage of electronic mail and other electronic means of exchanging information will limit new job growth in these jobs and affect the nature of the duties performed. Ability to navigate streets and follow directions is usually required. Physical fitness is required for some jobs in this group. There is some mobility into other delivery occupations such as delivery drivers. There may be mobility to clerical occupations within the company. Progression to supervisory positions may be possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

700

employed in 2016

58.4%

employed full-time

22.1%

self employed

23.2%

76.8%

50.2

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

81.3%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%

26.6%

47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

45.3%

Halifax

17.1%

Northern

13.8%

Cape Breton

12.2%

Southern

11.6%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

48.2%

Transportation and Warehousing

16.3%

Information, Culture & Recreation

11.3%

Retail Trade

11.3%

Other Professional Services

4.3%

Public Administration

What is the age of Employment?

28.6%

55-64

22.2%

35-44

20.6%

45-54

15.9%

15-24

11.1%

65+

4.8%

25-34

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

36.5%

45-54

28.0%

55-64

18.6%

35-44

10.7%

65+

6.0%

25-34

Top levels of education

32.9%

High school

$49,112 median annual income

29.2%

Less than high school

$37,447 median annual income

19.9%

College certificate or diploma

$45,921 median annual income

9.3%

Trades certificate

$35,849 median annual income

4.3%

Bachelor's degree

$48,582 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

34.4%

College certificate or diploma

$33,837 median annual income

23.7%

High school

$30,074 median annual income

22.9%

Bachelor's degree

$39,473 median annual income

5.8%

Trades certificate

$32,871 median annual income

4.7%

Less than high school

$23,775 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca