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.
Life As a Postal Service Clerk: What Do They Do?
- Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
- Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.
- Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
- Provide customers with assistance in filing claims for mail theft, or lost or damaged mail.
- Cash money orders.
- Transport mail from one work station to another.
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Qualities of a Postal Service Clerk
Postal Service Clerks state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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:
- Sales and Distribution Clerk
- Postal Support Employee
- Mail Agent
- Window/Distribution Clerk
- Bulk Mail Clerk
Job Opportunities for Postal Service Clerks
In the United States, there were 79,000 jobs for Postal Service Clerk in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Postal Service Clerk. The BLS estimates 4,800 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Do Postal Service Clerks Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Postal Service Clerks ranges between about $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 different U.S. states?
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Postal Service Clerks Use?
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 to Become a Postal Service Clerk
Individuals working as a Postal Service Clerk have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Postal Service Clerk?

Postal Service Clerks Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Postal Service Clerks employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
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.
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