Find Trade Skills Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Postal Service Mail Carrier

Find Schools Near

What You Need to Know About Postal Service Mail Carrier

Position Description Sort mail for delivery. Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot.

Life As a Postal Service Mail Carrier: What Do They Do?

  • Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
  • Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
  • Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
  • Answer customers’ questions about postal services and regulations.
  • Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
  • Sell stamps and money orders.

Qualities of a Postal Service Mail Carrier

Below is a list of the skills most Postal Service Mail Carriers say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

  • Rural Route Carrier
  • Mail Deliverer
  • Delivery Route Carrier
  • Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)
  • USPS Letter Carrier (United States Postal Service Letter Carrier)

What Kind of Postal Service Mail Carrier Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 316,700 jobs for Postal Service Mail Carrier in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Postal Service Mail Carrier. The BLS estimates 16,100 yearly job openings in this field.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Postal Service Mail Carrier are Utah, Texas, and Connecticut. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Postal Service Mail Carrier Make?

Postal Service Mail Carriers make between $36,990 and $63,970 a year.

undefined

Postal Service Mail Carriers who work in California, Hawaii, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Postal Service Mail Carriers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $51,320
Alaska $51,840
Arizona $52,130
Arkansas $51,050
California $53,680
Colorado $51,070
Connecticut $52,150
Delaware $51,890
District of Columbia $53,250
Florida $52,090
Georgia $51,180
Hawaii $54,190
Idaho $50,610
Illinois $52,090
Indiana $51,300
Iowa $51,350
Kansas $50,580
Kentucky $51,290
Louisiana $50,840
Maine $50,710
Maryland $51,540
Massachusetts $52,730
Michigan $51,340
Minnesota $51,610
Mississippi $51,260
Missouri $51,010
Montana $50,260
Nebraska $51,210
Nevada $51,840
New Hampshire $51,380
New Jersey $52,890
New Mexico $51,350
New York $52,150
North Carolina $51,300
North Dakota $50,340
Ohio $51,290
Oklahoma $50,820
Oregon $50,210
Pennsylvania $51,540
Rhode Island $51,210
South Carolina $51,230
South Dakota $51,040
Tennessee $51,560
Texas $51,620
Utah $51,140
Vermont $50,560
Virginia $50,760
Washington $51,530
West Virginia $50,660
Wisconsin $51,360
Wyoming $49,860

What Tools & Technology do Postal Service Mail Carriers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Postal Service Mail Carriers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • Electronic Time Clock ETC
  • Address Management System AMS
  • Delivery Routing System DRS

How do I Become a Postal Service Mail Carrier?

Individuals working as a Postal Service Mail Carrier have obtained the following education levels:

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Postal Service Mail Carriers Sector

undefined

The table below shows the approximate number of Postal Service Mail Carriers employed by various industries.

undefined

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those who work as a Postal Service Mail Carrier sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.

Visit School

Find Business Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited business colleges across the U.S.