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Postal Service Mail Carriers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $60,550/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$42,390$81,040

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, 20242034 — declining.

About 20,600 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
Social PerceptivenessSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementCoordinationReading ComprehensionMonitoringService OrientationJudgment and Decision Making
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecuritySales and MarketingTransportationAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingEducation and Training
Core tasks

Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.

Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.

Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.

Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.

Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.

Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.

Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.

Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Postal Service Mail Carriers?

The median pay for Postal Service Mail Carriers is $60,550 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Postal Service Mail Carriers?

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

What education is typically required for Postal Service Mail Carriers?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

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

About 20,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.