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Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in South Carolina
Considering working as a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors. Excludes “Postal Service Clerks” (43-5051) and “Postal Service Mail Carriers” (43-5052).
What do Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Make in South Carolina?
For a postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators working in South Carolina, wages run about $56,160 per year (or roughly $27.00/hour).Pay can range from $42,600 at the 10th percentile to $74,050 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 25th percentile | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Median (50th) | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| 75th percentile | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| 90th percentile | $74,050 | $35.60 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in South Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.85, suggesting fewer postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators earn a median of $57,050 per year ($27.43/hour), lower than the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 1,377,857 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 1,400 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,160 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators.
Top South Carolina Metros for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
The largest metro-area employers of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 540 | $56,450 |
| Columbia, SC | 510 | $55,410 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 260 | $56,450 |
Top States for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Employment
View the states that employ the most postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 11,330 |
| New York | 9,170 |
| Florida | 7,480 |
| Texas | 7,430 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,010 |
| Illinois | 5,920 |
| Ohio | 4,170 |
| New Jersey | 4,090 |
| North Carolina | 4,070 |
| Michigan | 3,880 |
| Massachusetts | 3,220 |
| Georgia | 3,200 |
| Tennessee | 3,040 |
| Missouri | 2,900 |
| Maryland | 2,780 |
| Virginia | 2,660 |
| Indiana | 2,090 |
| Colorado | 2,080 |
| Minnesota | 2,050 |
| Washington | 1,960 |
Highest-Paying States for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Where postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators earn the most: postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,830 |
| New Jersey | $59,550 |
| Wyoming | $59,550 |
| Iowa | $59,550 |
| Kansas | $59,550 |
| South Dakota | $59,550 |
| North Dakota | $58,780 |
| Vermont | $58,650 |
| Nebraska | $58,510 |
| California | $57,490 |
Skills
Top postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Clear jams in sorting equipment.
- Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
- Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
- Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
- Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
- Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
- Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
- Open and label mail containers.
- Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
- Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
- Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
- Train new workers.
Work Activities
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Processing Information
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators include:
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- File Clerks
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Couriers and Messengers
- Postal Service Clerks
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
Also Known As
Assorter, Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Dead Mail Checker, Distribution Clerk, Distribution Handler, Distributor, Equipment Operator, File Conversion Operator, Flat Sorter Operator, Flat Sorter Processor, Flat Sorting Machine Clerk (FSM Clerk), General Expeditor, Letter Sorting Machine Operator (LSM Operator), Mail Distribution Clerk.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 43-5053.00
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