Mail Carriers

Career summary

At the post office, mail carriers sort mail in the order it will be delivered and put it together in bundles. They deliver the mail along their route on foot, by vehicle, or a combination of both.

Carriers pick up outgoing mail. They fill out delivery forms, collect charges, and obtain signatures on certain types of mail. They use handheld scanners to scan labels to confirm receipt of letters and packages. They also give out change of address cards and other forms, and answer questions about mail services. They may hold mail for customers.

Rural carriers may sell stamps and money orders. They also may register, certify, and insure parcels and letters. They return all money and receipts back to post offices.

Related careers

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Couriers and Messengers
• Light Truck Drivers
• Mail Clerks
• Meter Readers
• Parking Enforcement Officers
• Postal Clerks
• Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
• Route Salespeople
• Shipping and Receiving Clerks

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to mail carriers.

• Sort mail in the order it will be delivered. Bundle mail in preparation for delivery.
• Cover established route on foot or by driving a vehicle.
• Deliver mail to homes and businesses along established routes.
• Pick up outgoing mail.
• Scan labels on letters and packages to confirm receipt.
• Answer customers' questions about mail services.
• Fill out delivery forms, collect charges, and obtain signed receipts for certain types of mail.
• Give out change-of-address cards and other postal forms. May hold mail for customers.
• May sell stamps and money orders. Turn in money and receipts collected on routes.
• May register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
• Maintain records of deliveries.

Common work activities

Mail carriers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Handle and move objects
• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with people outside the organization

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, mail carriers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium-high level of social contact. They often interact with members of the public.
• Communicate with others through face-to-face discussions.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• May deal with unpleasant or angry individuals.

Physical work conditions

• Often work outdoors. Work indoors when they pickup and drop off mail.
• Always wear a special uniform.
• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures.
• May be exposed to hazardous situations. These may include slippery roads and sidewalks or attacks by dogs.
• May have to work in very bright or dim lighting, depending on the weather.
• Sometimes are exposed to loud sounds or distracting noise levels.
• Drive a mail truck or other vehicle while delivering and picking up mail.
• May work physically near others, such as when hand-delivering mail.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be very exact in their work.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Set their daily tasks and goals according to their route and the amount of mail that must be delivered.
• Usually make decisions in conjunction with supervisors and customers.
• Must meet daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work early in the morning.
• May work overtime hours during peak delivery times.
• May work Saturdays.
• Work schedules and routes that are established.

Physical demands

Mail carriers frequently:

• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for mail carriers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for mail carriers to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Mail carriers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Office Support

Training

To work as a mail carrier, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

There are no formal training programs for mail carriers.

Work experience

Many mail carriers start as mail processors or in other postal service jobs. By passing a written exam, they qualify for promotion to mail carrier. The exam measures your speed and accuracy at checking names and numbers. It also measures your ability to memorize procedures.

On-the-job training

New mail carriers receive training on the job from experienced workers. Many post offices offer classroom instruction on safety and defensive driving. They also provide training in postal system laws and procedures. Training usually lasts up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Driver Education
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

The US Postal Service requires that applicants be at least 18 years old. Applicants must be a US citizen or permanent resident-alien with a safe driving record. Applicants are required to pass a physical exam and drug screen. They must also take a written exam.

After taking the written exam, applicants are listed in order of their scores. Additional points are added to the score of veterans who were honorably discharged. When a vacancy occurs, one of the top three applicants is chosen. The rest of the names remain on the list until their eligibility expires, which is usually two years. Workers may start by working part time and then move into full-time jobs.

Tips

Some full-time workers start as part-time or temporary help during summers or the pre-holiday rush. See if you can shadow a mail carrier for a day to learn what the job is like. Postal work in the military or in the mail room of a business or college is helpful. To practice for entry-level positions, take sample civil service tests. These can be found in book format in most libraries or online, although providers of electronic sample tests may require a fee to use them. Maintain a good driving record.

Costs to workers

Workers may join a union or association and pay an initiation fee and annual dues. Mail carriers sometimes pay for postage if the item has postage due. They are usually paid back by the person who received the mail but this is not guaranteed.

#Transferred CTW info from txt file 2/9/11, cj.

Licensing/certification

Workers must be at least 18 years old (or 16 if they have a high school diploma), have basic competency in English, and pass both the US Postal Service exam and a rigorous physical examination, which includes a drug screening. Carriers must be able to lift a 70 pound mail bag. Eyesight and hearing are also tested. Eyeglasses are permitted. A local criminal background check is required prior to hiring and an extensive criminal history check is completed at hiring. They must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record, have at least two years of documented driving experience, and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

For more information about requirements and testing, visit the US Postal Service  careers website. You can also contact your local post office to find out when or if the US Postal Service will be hiring in your area.

#2/3/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Postal Service Mail Carriers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

#In Washington, the average entry-level wage for postal service mail carriers is $17.78 per hour ($3,081 per month).

#Updated ES wage info 07.16 sd

Wages increase with the amount of time carriers have been in their position. Some routes may also pay higher wages than others.

Most mail carriers belong to one of two unions. Carriers receive a variety of benefits, such as sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

Growth in electronic communications and competition from private package and quick delivery companies has impacted the amount of mail delivered by the Postal Service. This will affect job opportunities for mail carriers.

#left as is 3/7/08 lh. Subcontracting is still an issue as of 3/5/09, cj. Added sat mail sentence. Lh. Eliminating Sat mail still likely and current budget for USPS looks bleak so left info as is for now, cj. No changes made 3/2/15 cj. modifed,some of the state narr in national, still sat delivery, whatever will happen is happening slowly. lh 1/27/16. Left as is 11/15/16 cj. Deleted all but this paragraph 4/10/19 cj.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• US Postal Service

National outlook

This occupation is significantly declining. New sorting systems allow mail carriers to be more productive. The Postal Service is also looking at reducing the number of days each week that mail is delivered. It is starting to use cluster mailboxes instead of door-to-door delivery. All these factors will reduce the demand for carriers.

Competition will be strong for jobs. Job openings will occur as people retire from the occupation.

Other resources

American Postal Workers Union 
1300 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.842.4200

Carrying the Mail: A Career in Public Service 

City Carriers  

National Association of Letter Carriers 
100 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001-2144
202.393.4695

National Rural Letter Carriers' Association 
1630 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.684.5545

Test 473 Orientation Guide for Major Entry-Level Jobs 

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Business Management and Administration

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Postal Service Mail Carriers (43-5052.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Mail Carrier (230.367-010) 
• Rural Mail Carrier (230.363-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Skilled