Postal Service Mail Carriers
SOC code 43-5052 · O*NET-SOC 43-5052.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Postal Service Mail Carriers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$60,550
a year
Hourly
$29.11
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$62,540
$30.07 per hour
Middle 50%
$48,940 – $81,000
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$42,390 – $81,040
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
328,820
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $42,390
- $20.38/hr
- 25th percentile
- $48,940
- $23.53/hr
- Median percentile
- $60,550
- $29.11/hr
- 75th percentile
- $81,000
- $38.94/hr
- 90th percentile
- $81,040
- $38.96/hr
What does a postal service mail carrier do?
Sort 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
- Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
How to become a postal service mail carrier
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 78% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)78%
- Less than a High School Diploma15%
- Some College Courses7%
Common questions
How much does a postal service mail carrier earn?
The national median is $60,550 a year. The full range runs from $42,390 at the 10th percentile to $81,040 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a postal service mail carrier without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.6/5
- Monitoring2.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Transportation3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Production and Processing2.7/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Time Management, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.