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 Clerks
SOC: 43-5051 O*NET: 43-5051.00
Median Salary
$61,630
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Postal Service Clerks do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$55,410
25th percentile
Median
$61,630
50th percentile
Experienced
$74,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$74,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,600
25th
$55,410
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,630
Mean: $61,070
75th
$74,050
90th
$74,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $55,410 and $74,050
- •Salary spread is 30.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 78,060 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:74,200
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.5%
Annual Openings:6,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)74,200
Current
2034 (Projected)71,600
-3.5%
-2,600
Employment Change
-3.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Postal Service Clerks professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
6,890 jobs$63,6700.75x
New York
5,480 jobs$61,6301.13x
Texas
5,150 jobs$61,7100.73x
Pennsylvania
3,820 jobs$60,5901.25x
Florida
3,770 jobs$61,6300.76x
Illinois
2,920 jobs$61,1100.95x
Ohio
2,570 jobs$61,6300.92x
Michigan
2,470 jobs$63,2701.11x
New Jersey
2,400 jobs$63,6901.11x
Georgia
2,190 jobs$62,1900.89x
Virginia
2,190 jobs$61,1101.07x
North Carolina
2,180 jobs$63,6900.88x
Massachusetts
2,090 jobs$61,6301.13x
Missouri
1,850 jobs$59,2501.25x
Wisconsin
1,540 jobs$60,5901.04x
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
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
92%
#3
Reading Comprehension
82%
#4
Service Orientation
74%
#5
Monitoring
66%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
58%
#7
Time Management
48%
#8
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.6
92%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.1
82%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.9
58%
Time Management
basic2.4
48%
Critical Thinking
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:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Butchers and Meat Cutters100%
5 shared skills
File Clerks89%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers89%
5 shared skills
Actors88%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers80%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Private Household80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Service Orientation
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 Postal Service Clerks
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Windows
📚 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
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)General Responsibilities (18)
1
Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •37% 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 Postal Service Clerks
💡 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?
Postal Service Clerks professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Postal Service Clerks
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.68
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.47
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.26
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.20
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.08
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.5
Cooperation
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Independence
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.9
💡 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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