Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators
O*NET title: Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Also called: Mail Clerks
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.
Also called: Addressing Machine Operator, Addressograph Operator, Advertising Inserter, Canceling Machine Operator, Dead Mail Checker, Direct Mail Clerk
Median pay
$39,280
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,780 – $54,820
People employed
55,230
Holland code
CRE
Conventional · Realistic · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators salary in every state →
What mail clerks and mail machine operators do
- 01Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
- 02Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- 03Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.
- 04Clear jams in sortation equipment.
- 05Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
- 06Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from mail clerks and mail machine operators
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators89% · +49%
- Couriers and Messengers83% · 0%
- Postal Service Mail Carriers80% · +54%
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand78% · +2%
- Postal Service Clerks78% · +58%
Change into mail clerks and mail machine operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Couriers and Messengers83% · $39,200
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators76% · $58,470
- Stockers and Order Fillers76% · $37,330
- Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers72% · $36,220
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks72% · $45,260