Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
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.
Also called: Insert Operator · Inserter Operator · Mail Clerk · Mail Handler · Mail Machine Operator · Mail Processor
Median pay (national)
$38,150
$29,460–$52,150 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
62,730
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-6.6%
~6,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $52,150 versus $29,460 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $38,150 leaves roughly 37% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -6.6% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 6,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $48,230, +26% vs the national median), while Louisiana sits lowest at $27,300 — a 77% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
- Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
- Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
- Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
- Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
- Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
- Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Financial accounting software
- Postal Explorer
- Recordkeeping software
- Web browser software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Email software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Education and Training
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security