What Does it Take to Be a Postal Service Clerk?
Position 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?
- Transport mail from one work station to another.
- Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.
- Order retail items and other supplies for office use.
- Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
- Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.
- Put undelivered parcels away, retrieve them when customers come to claim them, and complete any related documentation.
What Skills Do You Need to Work as 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:
- Postal Clerk
- Window/Distribution Clerk
- Bulk Clerk
- Money Order Clerk
- Postal Support Employee
Is There Going to be Demand 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,800 job openings in this field each 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.
How Much Does a Postal Service Clerk Make?
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Postal Service Clerks 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Postal Service Clerks
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Postal Service Clerks:
- 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?
Are there Postal Service Clerks education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Postal Service Clerk?
Who Employs Postal Service Clerks?
The table below shows the approximate number of Postal Service Clerks employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Postal Service Clerk may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Postal Service Clerk sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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