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Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $39,280/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$30,780$54,820

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: -6.6% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 6,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

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

Top skills
Time ManagementCritical ThinkingMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingOperations MonitoringActive ListeningCoordinationOperation and Control
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsLaw and GovernmentEducation and TrainingAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and Security
Core tasks

Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.

Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.

Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.

Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.

Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.

Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.

Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.

Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?

The median pay for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service is $39,280 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?

Employment for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service is projected to change -6.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?

About 6,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.