Find Trade Colleges
What Does it Take to Be a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?
Occupation Description Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Use hand or mail handling machines to 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.
Daily Life Of a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools.
- Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
- Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
- Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes.
- Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?
Below is a list of the skills most Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Other Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator Job Titles
- Inkjet Operator
- Mailroom Associate
- Canceling Machine Operator
- Direct Mail Coordinator
- Addressing Machine Operator
Job Outlook for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators
There were about 95,500 jobs for Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator are Utah, Nevada, and Alaska. Watch out if you plan on working in Colorado, Wyoming, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators ranges between about $20,510 and $46,760 a year.
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,900 |
| Alaska | $41,210 |
| Arizona | $29,900 |
| Arkansas | $29,120 |
| California | $34,030 |
| Colorado | $33,590 |
| Connecticut | $34,360 |
| Delaware | $31,970 |
| District of Columbia | $47,050 |
| Florida | $28,830 |
| Georgia | $28,980 |
| Hawaii | $37,080 |
| Idaho | $31,440 |
| Illinois | $29,610 |
| Indiana | $31,850 |
| Iowa | $30,130 |
| Kansas | $28,870 |
| Kentucky | $30,140 |
| Louisiana | $27,910 |
| Maine | $30,780 |
| Maryland | $34,130 |
| Massachusetts | $37,140 |
| Michigan | $32,860 |
| Minnesota | $32,460 |
| Mississippi | $25,600 |
| Missouri | $31,520 |
| Montana | $27,280 |
| Nebraska | $30,830 |
| Nevada | $31,520 |
| New Hampshire | $34,260 |
| New Jersey | $33,930 |
| New Mexico | $32,080 |
| New York | $36,150 |
| North Carolina | $29,530 |
| North Dakota | $30,110 |
| Ohio | $31,570 |
| Oklahoma | $28,150 |
| Oregon | $33,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,500 |
| Rhode Island | $37,100 |
| South Carolina | $29,950 |
| South Dakota | $27,250 |
| Tennessee | $28,790 |
| Texas | $30,370 |
| Utah | $30,500 |
| Vermont | $35,160 |
| Virginia | $30,620 |
| Washington | $36,260 |
| West Virginia | $27,760 |
| Wisconsin | $31,760 |
| Wyoming | $25,430 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Financial accounting software
- Recordkeeping software
How do I Become a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?
Individuals working as a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?
Where Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.