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What Does it Take to Be a Postal Service Clerk?
Occupation Description Perform any combination of tasks in a post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage.
A Day in the Life of a Postal Service Clerk
- Rent post office boxes to customers.
- Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
- Feed mail into postage canceling devices or hand stamp mail to cancel postage.
- Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.
- Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
- Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
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What a Postal Service Clerk Should Know
These are the skills Postal Service Clerks say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Business Mail Entry Clerk
- Sales and Service Associate (SSA)
- Bulk Mail Clerk
- Clerk
- Delivery Clerk
Postal Service Clerk Employment Estimates
There were about 79,000 jobs for Postal Service Clerk in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Postal Service Clerk. There will be an estimated 4,800 positions for Postal Service Clerk per year.
The states with the most job growth for Postal Service Clerk are Utah, Texas, and Connecticut. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Postal Service Clerk Average Salary
Postal Service Clerks make between $35,770 and $61,330 a year.
Postal Service Clerks who work in Arizona, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Postal Service Clerks make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $50,450 |
Alaska | $42,920 |
Arizona | $53,870 |
Arkansas | $46,720 |
California | $53,660 |
Colorado | $51,050 |
Connecticut | $52,510 |
Delaware | $52,230 |
District of Columbia | $53,840 |
Florida | $52,260 |
Georgia | $52,640 |
Hawaii | $54,250 |
Idaho | $49,110 |
Illinois | $50,300 |
Indiana | $50,330 |
Iowa | $45,970 |
Kansas | $48,450 |
Kentucky | $49,320 |
Louisiana | $51,150 |
Maine | $47,860 |
Maryland | $52,090 |
Massachusetts | $52,450 |
Michigan | $52,310 |
Minnesota | $48,690 |
Mississippi | $48,710 |
Missouri | $48,040 |
Montana | $46,230 |
Nebraska | $46,830 |
Nevada | $50,570 |
New Hampshire | $50,540 |
New Jersey | $53,750 |
New Mexico | $49,850 |
New York | $51,420 |
North Carolina | $52,610 |
North Dakota | $44,170 |
Ohio | $50,610 |
Oklahoma | $48,940 |
Oregon | $50,360 |
Pennsylvania | $50,390 |
Rhode Island | $52,350 |
South Carolina | $51,500 |
South Dakota | $45,010 |
Tennessee | $50,200 |
Texas | $51,030 |
Utah | $49,440 |
Vermont | $47,930 |
Virginia | $50,930 |
Washington | $50,140 |
West Virginia | $46,820 |
Wisconsin | $49,720 |
Wyoming | $47,500 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Postal Service Clerks
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Postal Service Clerks may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Windows
- Inventory tracking software
- Point of sale POS software
- Budgeting software
- Delivery operations information system DOIS
- Electronic Time Clock ETC
- Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
- NCR Advanced Store
How do I Become a Postal Service Clerk?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Postal Service Clerk?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Postal Service Clerk may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Postal Service Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.