Overview
SourcedSort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
O*NET definition of Postal Service Mail Carriers (SOC 43-5052) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 43-5052, including USPS Rural Carrier.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- No formal educational credential
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Postal Service Mail Carriers (SOC 43-5052) naming each level as required to be hired, 33 respondents, O*NET survey July 2016. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedAlthough no formal education is typically required to enter these occupations, most postal service workers have at least a high school diploma. All applicants for these jobs must pass a written exam.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Postal Service Workers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 43-5052
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialPostal craft and EAS schedules: USPS craft schedules (CCA/PSE → career; grade × step) and EAS grades for supervisors and postmasters. Typical structure for a usps craft employees; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Non-career (CCA / PSE / MHA / RCA)
- Career conversion
- Craft grade × step (e.g. city carrier steps A–P)
- 204b acting supervisor
- Supervisor (EAS)
- Postmaster / Manager
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 328,820 | $42,390 | $48,940 | $60,550 | $81,000 | $81,040 |
| All government | 328,820 | $42,390 | $48,940 | $60,550 | $81,000 | $81,040 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, July 2016). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.4.8
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.4.7
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.4.7
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.4.6
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.4.6
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.4.6
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.4.5
- Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.4.4
- Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.4.4
- Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.4.4
The 10 most important of 17 core tasks for Postal Service Mail Carriers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of July 2016.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Entry Assessment for Mail Carriers (Exam 474) Online assessment taken on a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone; about 30-45 minutes; must be completed within 72 hours of the invitation; covers City Carrier, Rural Carrier, CCA and RCA jobs. | United States Postal Service (USPS) | United States Postal Service | written | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
USPS Postal Exam 474 — Virtual Entry Assessment for City Carrier (Mail Carrier)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep- USPS Virtual Entry Assessment (474/475/476/477)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Postal Service Mail Carriers (SOC 43-5052) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 930 | $44,160 | $64,250 | $81,040 |
| Rhode Island | 1,220 | $43,120 | $63,610 | $81,040 |
| Arizona | 5,300 | $42,390 | $62,390 | $81,040 |
| California | 32,320 | $43,120 | $62,090 | $81,040 |
| Illinois | 14,730 | $43,120 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| Massachusetts | 7,630 | $44,160 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| Maryland | 6,420 | $42,390 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| Nevada | 2,530 | $42,390 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| New York | 20,580 | $43,120 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| Virginia | 7,900 | $42,390 | $62,070 | $81,040 |
| Connecticut | 4,510 | $42,390 | $61,130 | $81,040 |
| Florida | 20,810 | $42,390 | $61,130 | $81,040 |
| New Jersey | 10,160 | $43,120 | $61,130 | $81,040 |
| Ohio | 12,680 | $42,390 | $61,130 | $81,040 |
| South Dakota | 850 | $42,390 | $60,760 | $81,040 |
| Texas | 26,700 | $42,390 | $60,550 | $81,040 |
| Minnesota | 5,890 | $42,390 | $59,990 | $81,040 |
| North Carolina | 11,030 | $42,390 | $59,990 | $82,370 |
| New Hampshire | 1,560 | $42,390 | $59,990 | $81,040 |
| Washington | 6,550 | $43,120 | $59,990 | $81,040 |
| Alaska | 450 | $46,030 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Colorado | 5,100 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Delaware | 1,130 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Hawaii | 1,200 | $48,940 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Iowa | 3,730 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Indiana | 6,910 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Michigan | 11,610 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Missouri | 7,260 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Nebraska | 2,150 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| New Mexico | 1,570 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Oklahoma | 4,130 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,900 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Utah | 2,460 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Wisconsin | 6,470 | $42,390 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Wyoming | 430 | $43,120 | $59,880 | $81,040 |
| Arkansas | 3,030 | $42,390 | $59,700 | $81,040 |
| Oregon | 3,760 | $42,390 | $59,400 | $81,040 |
| Maine | 1,510 | $42,390 | $59,010 | $81,040 |
| Montana | 830 | $42,390 | $59,010 | $81,040 |
| North Dakota | 800 | $42,390 | $59,010 | $81,040 |
| Vermont | 690 | $42,390 | $59,010 | $81,040 |
| Kentucky | 4,640 | $42,390 | $58,910 | $81,040 |
| Louisiana | 5,090 | $42,390 | $58,910 | $81,040 |
| Tennessee | 7,310 | $42,390 | $58,570 | $81,040 |
| Kansas | 3,310 | $42,390 | $58,540 | $81,040 |
| Idaho | 1,660 | $42,390 | $57,820 | $81,040 |
| Alabama | 5,840 | $42,390 | $57,700 | $81,040 |
| Georgia | 10,790 | $42,390 | $57,700 | $81,040 |
| South Carolina | 5,650 | $42,390 | $57,700 | $81,040 |
| West Virginia | 1,850 | $42,390 | $57,700 | $81,040 |
| Mississippi | 3,290 | $42,390 | $57,470 | $81,040 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules