Postal Service Clerks

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $62,130/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$42,600$75,030

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -3.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 6,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionService OrientationCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingWriting

Top knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsSales and MarketingAdministrativeTransportationComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and Management

Core tasks

• Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.

• Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.

• Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.

• Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.

• Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.

• Transport mail from one work station to another.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Postal Service Clerks?

The median pay for Postal Service Clerks is $62,130 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Postal Service Clerks?

Employment for Postal Service Clerks is projected to change -3.5% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Postal Service Clerks?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Postal Service Clerks?

About 6,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.