Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, & Processing Machine Operators

Also Called: Automation Clerk, Distribution Clerk, Mail Handler, Mail Processor

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$41,700

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, & Processing Machine Operators do

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

  • Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  • Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  • Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
Industry Areas:

Finance and Business • Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Material Distribution Operations • OCT-Only Finance & Business • OCT-Only Transportation • Office Administration • Transportation Office Support

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Time Pressure
  • Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Tools

  • Sorters
  • Postal scales
  • Bar code reader equipment
  • Franking or postage machines
  • Carts

Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Delivery Operations Information System DOIS
SAP software
Data base user interface and query software
Address Management System AMS
Directory software
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products

Education

  • 81% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 12% Less than high school diploma
  • 6% 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?


Job Training Match

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, & Processing Machine Operators Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Aircraft Mechanics & Service Technicians

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Executive Secretaries & Executive Administrative Assistants

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Brokerage Clerks

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

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

Advanced Training

  • Atlanta - Job Corps

    Atlanta, Georgia

  • Excelsior Springs - Job Corps

    Excelsior Springs, Missouri

ACT & College

There are currently no college programs for this career.

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

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

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Verbal

This is what Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, & Processing Machine Operators across the country typically make.

$20.05 / hour
$41,700 /year

Entry Level

$25.69 / hour
$53,440 /year

Median Level

$34.54 / hour
$71,840 /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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