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Career overview · SOC 43-5052

Postal Service Mail Carriers

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.

Also called: City Carrier · City Carrier Assistant (CCA) · City Letter Carrier · City Mail Carrier · Letter Carrier · Mail Carrier

Median pay (national)
$57,490
$42,390–$76,880 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
336,040
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-3.5%
~20,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for postal service mail carriers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $76,880 versus $42,390 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $57,490 leaves roughly 34% 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 -3.5% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 20,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, South Dakota pays the most for this role (median $59,320, +3% vs the national median), while Guam sits lowest at $50,210 — a 18% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, 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.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
  • Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
  • Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
  • Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
  • Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
  • Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
  • Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
  • Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Address Management System AMS
  • Automated Data Collection System ADCS
  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • Delivery Routing System DRS
  • Electronic Time Clock ETC
  • End of Run Report EOR
  • Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Transportation
  • Administration and Management
  • Production and Processing
  • Education and Training