Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Also called: Postal Service Mail Sorters
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.
Also called: Assorter, Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Dead Mail Checker, Distribution Clerk, Distribution Handler
Median pay
$58,470
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$45,530 – $75,280
People employed
105,200
Holland code
CRS
Conventional · Realistic · Social
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.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in every state →
What postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators do
- 01Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
- 02Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
- 03Clear jams in sorting equipment.
- 04Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
- 05Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
- 06Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
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: 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 sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service76% · −33%
- Transportation Security Screeners74% · +14%
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers73% · +18%
- Bridge and Lock Tenders73% · −1%
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters72% · +33%
Change into postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service89% · $39,280
- Stockers and Order Fillers78% · $37,330
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer77% · $40,960
- Packers and Packagers, Hand75% · $36,280
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers74% · $34,890