Postal Service Clerks Career, Salary and Skills
Postal Service Clerks have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $62,130 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 73,720. Wage data is published for 340 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
43-5051.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$62,130
Hourly median
$29.87
Employment
73,720
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Speaking | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 2.50 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.38 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.88 | 2.12 |
| Writing | 2.88 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
- 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.
- Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
Technology
- Budgeting software
- Delivery operations information system DOIS
- Electronic Time Clock ETC
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Windows
- NCR Advanced Store
- Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
Postal Service Clerks salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in CAMedian $63,650 · Employment 6,410
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in NYMedian $62,690 · Employment 5,030
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in TXMedian $62,610 · Employment 4,900
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in New York, NYMedian $63,650 · Employment 4,340
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in PAMedian $61,050 · Employment 3,650
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in FLMedian $62,610 · Employment 3,540
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in ILMedian $61,710 · Employment 2,720
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in OHMedian $62,690 · Employment 2,430
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in MIMedian $63,650 · Employment 2,340
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in NJMedian $64,290 · Employment 2,230
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $63,670 · Employment 2,160
- Postal Service Clerks Salary in GAMedian $62,610 · Employment 2,070
Related careers
- File ClerksNational median $43,600
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering ServiceNational median $38,630
- Production, Planning, and Expediting ClerksNational median $59,650
- TellersNational median $43,030
- Procurement ClerksNational median $50,580
- Light Truck DriversNational median $44,860
- CashiersNational median $32,880
- Counter and Rental ClerksNational median $41,300
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.