What is 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.

Life As a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator

• Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
• Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
• Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
• Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests.
• Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
• Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related Job Titles

• Mailing Machine Operator
• Mailroom Supervisor
• Mailing Clerk
• Mail Machine Operator
• Tube Station Attendant

Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator Job Outlook

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.

Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator Salary

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

What Tools & Technology do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators Use?

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
• Recordkeeping software
• Financial accounting software

Becoming a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator

What education is needed to be a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator?

Who Employs Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators?

The table below shows the approximate number of Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators employed by various industries.

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Mail Clerk or Mail Machine Operator might also be interested in the following careers:

• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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More about our data sources and methodologies.