How to become a postal service clerk

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.

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 postal service clerks do

• Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
• 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.
• Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
• Transport mail from one work station to another.

Skills that matter most

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

Is postal service clerk a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 22% above 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 $67,790
• New Jersey $64,290
• North Carolina $64,290
• California $63,650
• Hawaii $63,650

Postal Service Clerks 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.