It’s likely that when you think of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), you imagine the amiable postal carrier who serves your community has a wide range of job options, whether you’re searching for a stable career, fantastic benefits, or a meaningful position in your community. There is much more to the Postal Service Jobs than meets the eye, from mail carriers and clerks to mechanics, engineers, and administrative personnel.
It is well-known for providing strong job security, opportunities for advancement, and a clear route to retirement, and it is among the biggest employers in the United States. Behind every letter sent and shipment delivered, however, is a nationwide staff of committed experts who keep things going. Being employed by the US Postal Service entails contributing to a vital service that, in good weather or bad, links people and businesses nationwide.
What are the US Postal Service’s primary job duties?
The post office’s main duties include collecting, processing, sending, and delivering mail. Any postal item with a message-like content can be categorised as mail, including letters, postcards, inland letter cards, packets, ordinary, registered, insured, value-payable items, and speed post. Some people labour outside, while others work indoors.
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Why You Should Apply for a US Postal Service Job
You might wish to work in the post office for several reasons, including:
Workforce diversity
To meet its many job requirements, the post office needs a diverse workforce, so you can find a job there no matter what your skill set. While some US Service Job employees work in corporate roles involving workplace analysis or information technology (IT), others have customer service responsibilities.
Employee benefits
The USPS offers employee benefits to both full-time and part-time employees. The Post Office provides opportunities for professional growth, health care programs, and paid time off.
Various job responsibilities
You can choose a role that aligns with your interests thanks to the variety of employment choices. You may choose to work with clients or take a delivery route that permits you to drive through rural areas or go for a walk outside during the day.
Few entrance barriers
USPS requires applicants to meet standard employment qualifications, including passing a criminal background check and being at least 18 years old. Candidates with a high school degree can seek prospects for growth and frequently find employment at the post office.
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Challenges in the US Postal Service
As the digital world has evolved, the US Postal Service Job has faced challenges: It lost an astounding $69 billion between 2009 and 2020 as the necessity of mailing bills, first-class letters, and advertisements was supplanted by email, social media, and online bill payment methods. However, because consumers were forced to stay at home during the COVID-19 epidemic and primarily shopped online, demand for package delivery suddenly rose (18.8%). To cut costs, the USPS started employing temporary “non-career employees” who were not entitled to benefits and worked part-time schedules. By 2022, these employees accounted for 18% of its workforce overall.
15 Highest Paying Postal Service Jobs
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Postal Inspector
This job’s Pay range is $38,500 to $65,500 a year. The current range of pay for most postal inspectors in the US is $38,500 (25th percentile) to $65,500 (75th percentile) per year. Depending on skill level, region, and years of experience, there may be numerous prospects for development and higher income, as indicated by this wide range of prospective salaries. The US Postal Service job market is not extremely active, since few organisations are hiring for this position at the moment.
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A post office clerk
They make between $28,000 and $52,000 annually. A post office or postal service clerk assists clients with mailing letters and packages, sorts and stamps mail, weighs products to calculate the proper amount of postage, and fills out the required paperwork for documentation. Your duties as a postal clerk include handling the receiving and delivery of packages, explaining postage amounts to customers, keeping your workplace organised, and comprehending and accurately calculating postage amounts. You’ll sell stamps and other supplies, take payments from customers, collaborate with other employees to do your daily tasks, and keep a positive attitude when interacting with the public and your coworkers.
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Mail carrier
The pay range for a Mail Carrier is $34,500 to $44,500 annually. You must sort, process, deliver, and pick up letters, postcards, and parcels from a customer’s home, a mailbox, or a sorting facility as a mail carrier. A mail carrier may deliver mail by bicycle, on foot, or by driving a mail truck or automobile, depending on where they live. You can be responsible for transporting postal goods, including envelopes and stamps for sale, if you live in a rural area. Daily, mail carriers must engage with individuals and offer customer service, including delivering formal documents and change of address forms.
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Clerk at the Postal Service Window
The Annual salary range is $31,000 to $44,500. One of your main duties as a postal service window clerk is to represent the US Postal Service Jobs to local consumers. You provide customer service by pricing and arranging packages for pickup, selling stamps, receiving letters and delivering post office box mail, and taking payments for other postal services your branch offers. As part of your job, you must have a basic understanding of the costs and goods utilised in shipping. To count change to deliver to customers and do drawer audits, you also need to be financially literate. The capacity to study and adhere to protocol, meticulousness, and outstanding customer service abilities are additional advantageous traits.
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Postal workers
They make between $28,000 and $40,000 annually. A postal worker is employed by the US Postal Service, and their duties and qualifications vary according to their position. A postal service clerk’s responsibilities include processing mail, renting out mailboxes, registering or insuring letters or packages, selling stamps and mailing materials, and responding to enquiries from clients on postal services. The responsibilities of a mail carrier include receiving and sorting mail from postal customers as well as delivering mail to homes and businesses along a predetermined route.
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Window clerk
The pay ranges from $33,000 to $42,000 annually. Most window clerks in the US but I can go today currently make between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $42,000 (75th percentile) a year. Though some promotion is conceivable, this moderate salary range indicates that remuneration in this profession will be consistent, independent of skill level, location, and years of experience. Few businesses are currently hiring for the position of window clerk; therefore, the employment market in the US is not very active.
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Mailing Specialist
The annual salary range for a mailing specialist is $35,000 to $46,500. Currently, the bulk of Mailing Specialist salaries in the US fall between the 25th and 75th percentiles, at $35,000 and $46,500, respectively, a year. Although there is room for progress, this moderate salary range indicates that compensation in this profession will be constant regardless of years of experience, location, or skill level. Although there aren’t many employers hiring for the position of Mailing Specialist in the United States right now.
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Mailers
They make between $25,000 and $26,500 annually. The person responsible for gathering incoming mail, sorting outgoing mail, and delivering mail and occasionally newspapers to other employees is known as a mailer. In this line of work, you might insert magazines or newspapers that need to be distributed. You may also be responsible for tasks like packing bulky things or arranging fliers or mail to be delivered to the post office. Among your other responsibilities when it comes to mail delivery are making sure that all mail leaves and arrives undamaged and that any additional postage is valid.
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Rural Carrier Associate
The annual salary range for a Rural Carrier Associate is $33,500 to $56,000. The current range of pay for Rural Carrier Associates in the United States is $33,500 to $56,000 per year. Depending on skill level, region, and years of experience, there may be numerous prospects for development. Expect higher income, as indicated by this wide range of prospective salaries. The United States’ Rural Carrier Associate job market is not extremely active, since few organisations are presently hiring for this position.
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Postal Service Clerk
A postal service clerk makes between $33,000 and $38,000 annually. A mail handler, sometimes referred to as a postal service clerk, handles daily duties in a post office. In this line of work, you will sell postage stamps, cards, and envelopes. This is in addition to receiving and processing letters, packages, and other mail. Sorting mail in the appropriate bags, acquiring the proper stamps and signatures for special deliveries are your responsibilities. You will handle weighing mail to determine the cost, filling out money orders, and assessing whether parcels adhere to state and federal rules. Also, proficiency in administrative or clerical duties is important. The ability to provide excellent customer service is essential for this line of work.
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Mail Inserter
The Pay range for a mail inserter is $30,000 to $41,500 annually. Setting up, running, and troubleshooting mail sorting machines and other sorting equipment are your duties as a mail inserter. The devices need to be calibrated to handle various mail types, including bills, cheques, and bank statements. You perform regular equipment inspections during the operation to make sure there are no mechanical or quality control issues. You document your everyday work and handle clerical tasks in addition to working on the equipment.
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Mail Sorter
The Pay range for a mail sorter is $32,000 to $37,500 annually. A mail sorter, sometimes referred to as a mail handler, is in charge of sorting, loading, and unloading mail. Operating mail sorting machines and manually processing mail are among the tasks and obligations of a mail sorter. Additionally, you sort bulk mail by postage type and geography, forming batches that proceed to the next step of the sorting and delivery process. Working as a mail sorter will require you to stand for long periods and lift heavy bins.
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Mail Processors
Mail processors make between $32,000 and $38,000 annually. An employee of the postal service job, a mail processor, is in charge of sorting incoming and outgoing mail. Also, they are responsible for getting it ready for the mail carrier to deliver. Among your responsibilities are loading and unloading mail vehicles, maintaining and repairing malfunctioning equipment. You will handle sorting mail either manually or with a machine. To work as a mail processor, you must be qualified to operate heavy machinery. These are machines like forklifts, and they possess a high school diploma or a GED. Candidates who have work experience as mail carriers or in other postal service jobs receive preference from hiring managers.
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Postmaster
Postmaster Pay range is $24,500 to $26,500 annually. The current range of Postmaster salaries in the United States is $24,500 to $26,500 per year. The majority of people in this postal Service job earn comparable pay. This is regardless of their years of experience, location, or skill level. The US Postmaster job market is not extremely active, since few organisations are hiring for this position at the moment.
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Mail Handler
The Pay range for a mail handler is $32,000 to $38,000 annually. For the benefit of a business or the US Postal Service job, a mail handler sorts and handles mail. Private company mail handlers are in charge of inspecting incoming mail. They handle classifying it by department, and making sure that the right person in the company receives the documents and packages. Unloading mail containers, sorting mail into delivery sacks, repackaging broken items, and delivering mail to distribution centres are all tasks that US Postal Service employees must perform. To guarantee that all mail is delivered to the correct location, a mail handler is essential.
Does working at the US Postal Service require an exam?
Certain jobs at the USPS, such as Customer Service Clerks, Mail Carriers, Mail Handlers, and Processors, require passing the Virtual Entry Assessment (VEA) test. The test asks candidates how they would respond to scenarios from real life. Passing is defined as a score of 70%. It takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes to finish the online test. This may be performed on a computer, laptop, or even a smartphone. Candidates receive instructions via email a few days before the test.
What is the State of US Postal Service Workers in 2025?
There are over 653,167 employees in the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) across the country in 34,223 post offices, branches, stations, and community post offices in over 300 job categories. Every year, thousands of post office positions in the United States become available to cover retirements. They also cover transfers, employee departures, and fatalities.
During seasons of high mail volume, the Postal Service often employs a large number of temporary workers. All things considered, the US Postal Service offers a wide range of occupations and jobs. Traditional mail carriers, clerks, and administrative, clerical, and office services at central facilities are among the USPS employment offers.
Who Funds The US Postal Service Jobs?
Ratepayers, or consumers who pay for the Postal Service, often provide funding for the agency instead of taxpayers. However, in the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, Congress authorised taxpayer-funded support for the Postal Service. Generally speaking, the Postal Service gets its funding from the sale of goods, services, and postage. Long-term fundamental issues with the Postal Service’s business model still exist.
No direct public money is given to the Postal Service. Stamp sales and other service fees are its main source of income. Even though COVID-19 has recently reduced the US Postal Service’s revenue. The Postal Service’s financial status has been unsustainable for years due to some reasons before the coronavirus.
Conclusion
For many years, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been an essential part of American society. They are bridging great distances and providing a lifeline to rural areas. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is more than just a delivery service. It is a symbol of public confidence and dependability, as seen by its historical roots in the nation’s formation. They play an ongoing role in delivering personal communication, ballots, and medications.
Despite its financial difficulties, changing technology, and increasing competition, the Postal Service continues to be an essential organisation. Sustainable finance, significant reform, and the determination to uphold its universal service objective are all necessary for its survival. Supporting and updating the US Postal Service is more than keeping the mail running as we enter the digital era. It is about preserving a vital civic institution that belongs to all Americans.