{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "dataset_id": "oews-occupation-v1",
  "version": "v1",
  "occupation": {
    "soc_code": "43-5021",
    "soc_title": "Couriers and Messengers",
    "slug": "couriers-and-messengers-43-5021",
    "major_group": "43-0000 Office and Administrative Support Occupations"
  },
  "headline": {
    "annual_median_wage_usd": 39200,
    "annual_mean_wage_usd": 40970,
    "employment_total": 68640,
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "wages": {
    "annual": {
      "p10": 31550,
      "p25": 36070,
      "median": 39200,
      "p75": 45280,
      "p90": 50330,
      "mean": 40970,
      "ratio_90_to_10": 1.6
    },
    "hourly": {
      "p10": 15.17,
      "p25": 17.34,
      "median": 18.85,
      "p75": 21.77,
      "p90": 24.2,
      "mean": 19.7
    }
  },
  "employment": {
    "total": 68640,
    "share_of_us_employment_pct": 0.04,
    "source": {
      "name": "BLS OEWS — National employment estimate",
      "url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000043502101",
      "series_id": "OEUN000000000000043502101",
      "as_of": "2025-05-31"
    }
  },
  "wages_source": {
    "name": "BLS OEWS — National wage estimates",
    "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/",
    "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
    "series_ids": {
      "annual_median": "OEUN000000000000043502113",
      "annual_mean": "OEUN000000000000043502104",
      "annual_p10": "OEUN000000000000043502111",
      "annual_p25": "OEUN000000000000043502112",
      "annual_p75": "OEUN000000000000043502114",
      "annual_p90": "OEUN000000000000043502115"
    },
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "top_paying_msas": [],
  "top_employing_msas": [],
  "verdict": "The 90/10 ratio for Couriers and Messengers is 1.60× — this is a compressed-comp occupation where the wage band is narrow. Top decile earns $50,330, bottom decile $31,550. In flat-comp professions, title and tenure define the ceiling more than negotiation does. Push title, not pay.",
  "submitted_components": null,
  "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
  "fetched_at": "2026-05-25T02:53:52.141Z"
}