Postal Service Mail Carriers
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.
Also called: Carrier, Carrier Associate, Carrier Driver, City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant (CCA), City Letter Carrier
Median pay
$60,550
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$42,390 – $81,040
People employed
328,820
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.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
Postal Service Mail Carriers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What postal service mail carriers do
- 01Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
- 02Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- 03Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- 04Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- 05Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- 06Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Sales and Marketing
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
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: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
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 postal service mail carriers
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity69% · −2%
- Flight Attendants67% · +5%
- Transportation Security Screeners66% · +10%
- Light Truck Drivers66% · −26%
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service65% · −35%
Change into postal service mail carriers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Driver/Sales Workers82% · $38,770
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service80% · $39,280
- Parking Attendants76% · $35,150
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops75% · $37,080
- Light Truck Drivers75% · $44,860