Description
Couriers and messengers pick up and deliver letters, parcels, packages, messages, and other items within and between establishments. They are employed by courier service companies and other establishments throughout the private and public sectors.
Job Titles
- Bank messenger
- Courier
- Courier service driver
- Delivery person – courier service
- Mail service courier
- Runner – courier service
Main Duties
- Pick up messages, letters, envelopes, parcels, airline tickets, legal documents, packages, bonds, cheques, securities and other items from customers, and hand-deliver them to addresses within an establishment or in other establishments by walking, cycling or driving within prescribed time periods
- Collect payment for items delivered
- Keep record of items received and delivered using delivery information acquisition devices.
Workplaces
- Courier service companies
- Establishments throughout the private and public sector
Skills
- Numeracy
- Operation and Control
- Systems Analysis
- Time Management
- Writing
Abilities
- Multi-Signal Response
- Speed of Limb Movement
- Stamina
- Trunk Strength
- Auditory Attention
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Independence
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
Similar Occupations
- Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations (72025)
- Letter carriers (74101)
- Delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors (75201)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Good for couriers and messengers (NOC 74102) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for couriers continues to be supported by the growth of ecommerce and online retail, which has remained strong since the pandemic, with parcel volumes rising across P.E.I. Canada Post and private courier companies have expanded delivery networks to meet consumer expectations for same day and next day service, while local businesses increasingly rely on couriers for food, pharmaceuticals, and essential goods.
Employment opportunities are shaped by seasonal peaks (such as holidays) and high turnover, creating openings for new entrants. While technological advances have reduced the need for paper document delivery, the parcel and logistics side of the industry is growing, making this occupation more resilient. Couriers must be prepared for physically demanding work in all weather conditions and employers tend to emphasize reliability, customer service, and digital skills.
Here are some key facts about Couriers and messengers in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Couriers and messengers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Postal service, couriers and messengers (NAICS 491, 492): 93%
- Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 7%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 87% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 13% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 61% of couriers and messengers work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 20% of couriers and messengers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 88% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 12% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 19% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 48% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 11% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $20.74 | $26.24 | $29.96 |
| Canada | $17.50 | $23.00 | $35.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.