Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service earn a median of $39,280 per year ($18.89/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 7.2% through 2035, with about 4,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 43-9051
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service in four numbers
- Median pay
- $39,280a year, or $18.89/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $31KTop 10% $55K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -7.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−7.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −7.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,70057,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202557.8K
- Projected 203553.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 57.8K Projected 2035 53.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school45.4%
- High school48.4%
- Associate's6.2%
Highest education held by mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service Segment Value Less than high school 45.4% High school 48.4% Associate's 6.2%
Also advertised as: Insert Operator, Inserter Operator, Mail Clerk, Mail Handler, Mail Machine Operator, Mail Processor.
Pay
How much do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service make?
Every mail clerk and mail machine operator, except postal service in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$39,280
Middle half earn $35,470 to $46,450
- 10th
- $30,780
- 25th
- $35,470
- 75th
- $46,450
- 90th
- $54,820
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $30,780 |
| 25th | $35,470 |
| Median | $39,280 |
| 75th | $46,450 |
| 90th | $54,820 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $39,280
- Median hourly wage
- $18.89/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $41,650
- People employed
- 55,230
Versus all US occupations
At $39,280, Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service earn 23% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,700 a year.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 20% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $54,820 or more while the bottom 10% earn $30,780, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 7% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($49,240), but once local prices are taken into account Vermont leads at $46,326 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $49,240 | $44,804 | 310 |
| 2Massachusetts | $48,860 | $46,200 | 1,050 |
| 3Washington | $46,380 | $43,341 | 1,360 |
| 4Vermont | $45,380 | $46,326 | 120 |
| 5Utah | $45,150 | $45,669 | 460 |
| 6Minnesota | $44,840 | $45,467 | 1,170 |
| 7Maine | $44,780 | $46,141 | 160 |
| 8California | $44,410 | $40,110 | 4,710 |
| 9Connecticut | $43,970 | $42,438 | 680 |
| 10New Jersey | $43,700 | $40,164 | 2,210 |
Job outlook
Is Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -7.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | −7.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service to change -7.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 4,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,700 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 57,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)48.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma45.4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 48.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 45.4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 6.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service do?
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
- Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
- Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
- Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
- Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
- Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Writing2.9
- Mathematics2.3
- Active Learning2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.3 |
| Active Learning | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Operations Monitoring2.9
- Operation and Control2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Service Orientation2.6
- Quality Control Analysis2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Service Orientation | 2.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Internet browser software
- Mailing and shipping software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional6.5
- Realistic4.0
- Enterprising2.1
- Social2.0
- Investigative1.0
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service
O*NET related occupations
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
Postal Service Mail Sorter, Processor, and Processing Machine Operator
$58,470median a year
Most earn $46K to $75K
−5.3%No formal credential - Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Teller$43,030
- Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service$39,280
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service | $39,280 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service appears on
Questions
Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service: frequently asked questions
How much do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service make?
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service earn a median of $39,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 23% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $18.89/hr. The middle half earn between $35,470 and $46,450. The top 10% earn $54,820 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 48.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 7.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 4,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service do?
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. A core O*NET task: sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service the most?
The highest state medians for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service are District of Columbia ($49,240), Massachusetts ($48,860), Washington ($46,380) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Vermont moves to the top at $46,326.
What personality type suits a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, Except Postal Service?
O*NET scores Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service highest on the Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.