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.
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
SOC: 43-9051 O*NET: 43-9051.00
Median Salary
$38,150
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,460
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,440
25th percentile
Median
$38,150
50th percentile
Experienced
$44,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$52,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,460
25th
$34,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,150
Mean: $40,200
75th
$44,940
90th
$52,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $22,690 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,440 and $44,940
- •Salary spread is 27.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 62,730 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:67,400
Top Industries
Administrative and Support Services31.5%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services31.5%
Business Support Services22%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.6%
Annual Openings:6,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)67,400
Current
2034 (Projected)62,900
-6.6%
-4,400
Employment Change
-6.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
5,660 jobs$41,5301.46x
California
4,880 jobs$42,8600.66x
Texas
4,210 jobs$37,0100.75x
Pennsylvania
3,790 jobs$35,7601.55x
New Jersey
3,490 jobs$40,5702.02x
Illinois
3,480 jobs$36,9401.41x
Florida
3,350 jobs$37,8000.84x
Georgia
3,340 jobs$37,9301.69x
Ohio
2,150 jobs$37,9600.96x
Michigan
1,850 jobs$35,3401.04x
Maryland
1,630 jobs$39,4601.46x
Wisconsin
1,560 jobs$36,5001.31x
Virginia
1,550 jobs$34,2600.94x
Minnesota
1,510 jobs$42,6501.27x
North Carolina
1,450 jobs$36,3400.73x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
86%
#3
Speaking
70%
#4
Reading Comprehension
56%
#5
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.5
70%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.8
56%
Time Management
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks83%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Restaurant80%
4 shared skills
Actors71%
5 shared skills
Light Truck Drivers71%
5 shared skills
Model Makers, Wood71%
5 shared skills
Craft Artists67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clear jams in sortation equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.66
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.64
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.56
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.25
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.20
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.92
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Initiative
3.6
Independence
3.6
Concern for Others
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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