How to become a mail clerks and mail machine operator, except postal service

Q: How do I become a mail clerks and mail machine operator, except postal service?

The typical entry-level education is usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..

Q: How much does a mail clerks and mail machine operator, except postal service make?

The median pay in the United States is $39,280 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.Typical entry-level education

$39,280Median pay a year

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service do

Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
Clear jams in sortation equipment.
Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.

Skills that matter most

Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Writing
Mathematics
Active Learning

Is mail clerks and mail machine operator, except postal service a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 23% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

District of Columbia $49,240
Massachusetts $48,860
Washington $46,380
Vermont $45,380
Utah $45,150

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.