Postal service workers held about 507,100 jobs in 2021. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up postal service workers was distributed as follows:
| Postal service mail carriers | 322,900 |
| Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators | 107,900 |
| Postal service clerks | 76,300 |
The largest employers of postal service workers were as follows:
| Postal service | 100% |
Postal service clerks and mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators work indoors, typically in a post office. Mail carriers mostly work outdoors, delivering mail in all kinds of weather. Although mail carriers face many natural hazards, such as extreme temperatures and wet or icy roads and sidewalks, the work is not especially dangerous. However, repetitive stress injuries from lifting and bending may occur.
Work Schedules
Most postal service workers are employed full time. However, overtime is sometimes required, particularly during the holiday season. Because mail is delivered 6 days a week, many postal service workers must work on Saturdays. Some also work on Sundays.
All postal service worker applicants must pass a written exam. The exam covers four areas: address cross comparison, forms completion, memory and coding, and personal characteristics and experience. Jobseekers should contact the post office or mail processing center where they want to work to find out when exams are given.
Postal service mail carriers must be at least 18 years old, or 16 years old with a high school diploma. They must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident-alien status. Males must have registered with the Selective Service when they reached age 18.
When accepted, applicants must undergo a criminal background check and pass a physical exam and a drug test. Applicants also may be asked to show that they can lift and handle heavy mail sacks. Mail carriers who drive at work must have a safe driving record, and applicants must receive a passing grade on a road test.
Education
Most postal service workers have a high school diploma. All applicants must have a good command of English.
Training
Newly hired postal service workers receive short-term on-the-job training, usually lasting less than 1 month. Those who have a mail route may initially work alongside an experienced carrier.
Postal Service workers typically have an interest in the Building and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a postal service worker, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Postal Service workers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Customer-service skills. Postal Service workers, particularly clerks, regularly interact with customers. As a result, they must be courteous and tactful and provide good client service.
Physical stamina. Postal Service workers, particularly carriers, must be able to stand or walk for long periods.
Physical strength. Postal Service workers must be able to lift heavy mail bags and parcels without injuring themselves.
The median annual wage for postal service workers was $51,730 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,230.
Median annual wages for postal service workers in May 2021 were as follows:
| Postal service mail carriers | $52,440 |
| Postal service clerks | 52,290 |
| Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators | 48,550 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for postal service workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Postal service | $51,730 |
Most postal service workers are employed full time. However, overtime is sometimes required, particularly during the holiday season. Because mail is delivered 6 days a week, many postal service workers must work on Saturdays. Some also work on Sundays.
Overall employment of postal service workers is projected to decline 6 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Despite declining employment, about 38,100 openings for postal service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
The postal service likely will need fewer workers because new mail sorting technology can read text and automatically sort, forward, and process mail. The greater use of online services to pay bills and the increased use of online communications should also reduce the need for sorting and processing workers.
Meanwhile, the amount of time carriers save on sorting letter mail and flat mail will allow them to increase the size of their routes, which should reduce the need to hire more carriers. In addition, the postal service is adopting more centralized mail delivery, such as the use of cluster mailboxes, to cut down on the number of door-to-door deliveries.
For more information about postal service workers, including job requirements, entrance examinations, and employment opportunities, visit
National Association of Letter Carriers