Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
Postal Service Mail Carriers
SOC: 43-5052 O*NET: 43-5052.00
Median Salary
$57,490
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
20.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
What does a Postal Service Mail Carriers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,030
25th percentile
Median
$57,490
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,300
75th percentile
Top Earners
$76,880
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,390
25th
$46,030
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,490
Mean: $59,880
75th
$75,300
90th
$76,880
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,490 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,030 and $75,300
- •Salary spread is 50.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 336,040 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:319,400
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.5%
Annual Openings:20,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)319,400
Current
2034 (Projected)308,100
-3.5%
-11,300
Employment Change
-3.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Postal Service Mail Carriers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
33,150 jobs$58,3900.84x
Texas
27,180 jobs$58,3900.90x
Florida
21,290 jobs$58,3900.99x
New York
21,000 jobs$58,3901.01x
Illinois
15,240 jobs$58,3901.15x
Pennsylvania
14,490 jobs$56,3301.11x
Ohio
13,070 jobs$57,4901.09x
Michigan
12,010 jobs$56,4501.25x
North Carolina
11,300 jobs$57,2001.06x
Georgia
11,090 jobs$54,2701.05x
New Jersey
10,130 jobs$57,4901.09x
Virginia
8,110 jobs$58,3900.92x
Massachusetts
7,640 jobs$59,0100.96x
Missouri
7,500 jobs$56,4501.18x
Tennessee
7,370 jobs$57,0301.03x
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
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
80%
#3
Speaking
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
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:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers75%
3 shared skills
Telephone Operators67%
4 shared skills
Amusement and Recreation Attendants60%
3 shared skills
Cashiers60%
3 shared skills
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop60%
3 shared skills
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall60%
3 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Mail Carriers
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 Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
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
INDEPENDENT
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 independent 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 (19)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
🟡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 Postal Service Mail Carriers
💡 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 Mail Carriers 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 Postal Service Mail Carriers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.59
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.44
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.39
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.37
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.05
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.97
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Independence
4.4
Self-Control
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Cooperation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Persistence
3.7
💡 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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