CFChooseField
Office and Administration

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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Median pay

$56,530
Median annual pay for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-8.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

7,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

106,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-8,900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Listening
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Administrative
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Manual Dexterity
  3. 3Category Flexibility
  4. 4Information Ordering
  5. 5Multilimb Coordination
  6. 6Perceptual Speed

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Time Pressure
  3. 3Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  4. 4Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  5. 5Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  6. 6Spend Time Standing

Representative tasks

  • Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  • Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  • Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
  • Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
  • Check 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.
  • Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
  • Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
  • Open and label mail containers.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyTeradata Database · hot technologyNCR Advanced StoreMulti-line optical character reader OCR softwareAddress Management System AMSDirectory softwareDelivery Routing System DRS

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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