Postal Service Mail Carriers

Also Called: City Letter Carrier, Letter Carrier, Mail Carrier, Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$41,480

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Postal Service Mail Carriers do

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.

  • Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
  • Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
  • Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
Industry Areas:

Finance and Business

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  • Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Tools

  • Storage racks or shelves
  • Portable data input terminals
  • Bar code reader equipment
  • Light trucks or sport utility vehicles
  • Safety chains

Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Delivery operations information system DOIS
Data base user interface and query software
Address Management System AMS
End of Run Report EOR
Office suite software
Microsoft Office

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking

Knowledge

Business
customer service
sales and marketing
Arts and Humanities
English language
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 78% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 15% Less than high school diploma
  • 7% Some college, no degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Postal Service Mail Carriers Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Medical Secretaries & Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Procurement Clerks

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Statistical Assistants

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

There are currently no college programs for this career.

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Independence
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Endurance

This is what Postal Service Mail Carriers across the country typically make.

$19.94 / hour
$41,480 /year

Entry Level

$27.08 / hour
$56,330 /year

Median Level

$36.50 / hour
$75,920 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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