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Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

General Information

Description

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Federal government87.26%
  2. Private, for profit10.57%
  3. Private, not for profit1.79%
  4. Self-employed0.39%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Business Management & Administration

Job Outlook

Overall employment of postal service workers is projected to decline 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, 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.

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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of postal service workers is projected to decline 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, 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.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$48,550

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$62,820
$43,930
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 81%
  • Less than high school 12%
  • Some college 6%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Knowledge

  • English Language
  • Administrative
  • Administration and Management
  • Transportation
  • Computers and Electronics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.