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Postal Service Clerk

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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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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:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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