Office and administrative support
Postal service clerk
Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.
Median pay
$62,130
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
5,300
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Postal service clerk
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Postal service clerk: 31% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
- Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
- Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
- Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
- Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
- Transport mail from one work station to another.
Also called: Bulk Mail Technician · Clerk · Distribution Clerk · Part Time Flexible Clerk (PTF Clerk) · Postal Clerk · Sales and Distribution Clerk · Sales and Service Associate (SSA) · Window Clerk
Outlook and AI
Postal service clerks held 70,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 70,700 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Postal service clerk vs. Postal service mail carrier
- Postal service clerk vs. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service
- Postal service clerk vs. Shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks
- Postal service clerk vs. Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
- Postal service clerk vs. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Postal service clerk vs. Couriers and messengers
- Postal service clerk vs. Order clerk
- Postal service clerk vs. Cargo and freight agents
- Postal service clerk vs. Stockers and order fillers
- Postal service clerk vs. Office clerks, general