The median pay for Postal Service Clerks is $62,130 a year ($29.87/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 0.3% through 2035, with about 5,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 43-5051
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Postal Service Clerk in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,130a year, or $29.87/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $43KTop 10% $75K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.3%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,30070,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202570.9K
- Projected 203570.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 70.9K Projected 2035 70.7K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school7.8%
- High school67.6%
- Certificate6.8%
- Some college17.9%
Highest education held by postal service clerks Segment Value Less than high school 7.8% High school 67.6% Certificate 6.8% Some college 17.9%
Also advertised as: Bulk Mail Technician, Clerk, Distribution Clerk, Part Time Flexible Clerk (PTF Clerk), Postal Clerk, Sales and Distribution Clerk.
Pay
How much do Postal Service Clerks make?
Every postal service clerk in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,130
Middle half earn $56,740 to $70,890
- 10th
- $42,600
- 25th
- $56,740
- 75th
- $70,890
- 90th
- $75,030
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,600 |
| 25th | $56,740 |
| Median | $62,130 |
| 75th | $70,890 |
| 90th | $75,030 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,130
- Median hourly wage
- $29.87/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,860
- People employed
- 73,720
Versus all US occupations
At $62,130, Postal Service Clerks earn 22% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,150 a year.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 26% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $75,030 or more while the bottom 10% earn $42,600, 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 35% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Guam posts the highest raw median ($68,810), but once local prices are taken into account Louisiana leads at $71,661 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Postal Service Clerks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Guam | $68,810 | N/A | 30 |
| 2District of Columbia | $67,790 | $61,683 | 110 |
| 3New Jersey | $64,290 | $59,087 | 2,230 |
| 4North Carolina | $64,290 | $68,157 | 2,070 |
| 5U.S. Virgin Islands | $63,660 | N/A | 60 |
| 6California | $63,650 | $57,487 | 6,410 |
| 7Hawaii | $63,650 | $57,889 | 430 |
| 8Michigan | $63,650 | $66,153 | 2,340 |
| 9Louisiana | $63,210 | $71,661 | 1,100 |
| 10Maryland | $63,210 | $60,224 | 1,240 |
Job outlook
Is Postal Service Clerk a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Postal Service Clerks | −0.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Postal Service Clerks to change -0.3% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,300 openings are projected each year, 7.5% of the 70,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of postal service workers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The postal service likely will need fewer workers because new mail sorting technology can read text and automatically sort, forward, and process mail. The greater use of online services to pay bills and the increased use of online communications should also reduce the need for sorting and processing workers.
Meanwhile, the amount of time carriers save on sorting letter mail and flat mail will allow them to increase the size of their routes, which should reduce the need to hire more carriers. In addition, the postal service is adopting more centralized mail delivery, such as the use of cluster mailboxes, to cut down on the number of door-to-door deliveries.
Getting in
How to become a Postal Service Clerk
To enter these occupations, postal service workers typically need no formal educational credential. However, job candidates must pass a written exam as part of the application process. The exam covers four areas: address cross comparison, forms completion, memory and coding, and personal characteristics and experience. For more information, contact the post office or mail processing center where you want to work.
Postal service workers must meet certain employment qualifications. For example, they must be at least 18 years old, or 16 years old with a high school diploma; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and pass a criminal background check, a medical assessment, and a drug screening. They also may be asked to show that they can lift and handle heavy mail sacks.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 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 postal service clerks.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)67.6%
- Some College Courses17.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma7.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate6.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 67.6% |
| Some College Courses | 17.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 6.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Postal Service Clerk do?
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.
Postal service workers sell postage and related products and collect, sort, and deliver mail.
Day-to-day tasks
- Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
- Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
- Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
- Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
- Transport mail from one work station to another.
- Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most postal service workers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because mail usually is delivered 6 days a week, many postal service workers must work on Saturdays. Some also work on Sundays.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending 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 importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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
- Active Listening3.4
- Speaking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Writing2.9
- Mathematics2.8
- Active Learning2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Coordination2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.8
- Persuasion2.6
- Negotiation2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 |
| Persuasion | 2.6 |
| Negotiation | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Operating system software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Human resources software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
- Time accounting 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 Postal Service Clerk?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Postal Service Clerk |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 7 |
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
- Realistic3.2
- Enterprising2.7
- Social2.6
- 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 Postal Service Clerk
O*NET related occupations
- Office and Administrative Support
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Most earn $31K to $55K
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$58,470median a year
Most earn $46K to $75K
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More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with postal service clerks highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Postal Service Clerk$62,130
- 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
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,130 |
| 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 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Postal Service Clerk appears on
Questions
Postal Service Clerk: frequently asked questions
How much do Postal Service Clerks make?
Postal Service Clerks earn a median of $62,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.87/hr. The middle half earn between $56,740 and $70,890. The top 10% earn $75,030 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Postal Service Clerk?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Postal Service Clerks, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. 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, 67.6% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Postal Service Clerk a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.3% over 2025–2035, a loss of 200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Postal Service Clerk do?
Postal service workers sell postage and related products and collect, sort, and deliver mail. A core O*NET task: check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing. Employers most often ask for Operating system software.
Which states pay Postal Service Clerks the most?
The highest state medians for Postal Service Clerks are Guam ($68,810), District of Columbia ($67,790), New Jersey ($64,290) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Louisiana moves to the top at $71,661.
What personality type suits a Postal Service Clerk?
O*NET scores Postal Service Clerks 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 ISFJ, ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.