Postal Service Mail Carriers
Tasks Include:
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
- Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
- Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
- Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
- Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
- Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
- Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -8.7%
National: -4.8%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$54,250.00
State
$53,680.00
Regional
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Description
Career Cluster: | Business, Management & Administration |
Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 78.21%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 14.57%
- Some College Courses = 7.22%
Related Work Experience
- None = 76.43%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 11.17%
- Up to and including 1 month = 8.15%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 2.05%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 1.18%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 1.03%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Up to and including 1 month = 59.97%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 27.28%
- None = 11.57%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.18%
On-the-Job Training
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 44.04%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 41.41%
- None or short demonstration = 13.37%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.18%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
- Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
- Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
- Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
- Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
- Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
- Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
- Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.
- Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.
- Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
- Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
- Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.
- Enter change of address orders into computers that process forwarding address stickers.
- Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.
- Sell stamps and money orders.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
81.25 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
56.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
55.25 | Public Safety and Security | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
53.75 | Sales and Marketing | Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
50.00 | 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. |
50.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
50.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
50.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
53.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
53.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
50.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
50.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
50.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
50.00 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
50.00 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
50.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
50.00 | Trunk Strength | The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing. |
50.00 | Arm-Hand Steadiness | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
80.25 | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
77.00 | Performing General Physical Activities | Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
73.50 | Handling and Moving Objects | Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
62.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
61.50 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
58.75 | Communicating with People Outside the Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
89.75 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
86.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
84.75 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
84.25 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
76.25 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
74.25 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
69.25 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
67.25 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
66.75 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
58.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
58.75 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
57.75 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
51.50 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
50.00 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
98.20 | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather | How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? |
95.40 | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? |
92.80 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
90.00 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
85.20 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
84.80 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
83.60 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
82.40 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
82.00 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
81.20 | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
81.00 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
78.60 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
75.60 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
74.60 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
69.60 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
67.60 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
67.20 | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body | How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? |
65.80 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
63.60 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
63.20 | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? |
62.40 | Spend Time Walking and Running | How much does this job require walking and running? |
61.40 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
60.20 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
59.80 | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? |
58.60 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
57.40 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
55.00 | Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting | How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions? |
54.60 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
54.20 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
53.80 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
53.40 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
52.00 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $39,640.00 | $54,250.00 | $71,340.00 |
Virginia | $39,640.00 | $53,680.00 | $71,340.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | $45,443.74 | $61,534.05 | $68,668.66 |
Bay Consortium | $40,931.80 | $52,070.13 | $62,369.71 |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $41,346.01 | $53,412.97 | $63,904.68 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $40,890.48 | $53,176.43 | $64,156.72 |
Crater Area | $41,105.34 | $52,488.48 | $63,182.64 |
Greater Peninsula | $41,281.97 | $53,412.97 | $62,804.58 |
Hampton Roads | $42,181.67 | $53,412.97 | $63,923.27 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $40,931.80 | $52,800.43 | $64,114.37 |
Northern Virginia | $44,692.78 | $59,944.33 | $68,406.29 |
Piedmont Workforce | $42,898.54 | $56,033.57 | $65,509.89 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | $40,913.21 | $51,500.98 | $62,267.45 |
Southwestern Virginia | $40,925.60 | $51,533.00 | $62,339.75 |
West Piedmont | $40,883.25 | $53,434.66 | $63,258.05 |
Western Virginia | $42,047.39 | $54,594.67 | $65,498.52 |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 322,900 | 307,400 | -4.8% |
Virginia | 7,936 | 7,244 | -8.7% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | 436 | 417 | -4.4% |
Bay Consortium | 435 | 410 | -5.7% |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 1,106 | 1,050 | -5.1% |
Central VA/Region2000 | 203 | 177 | -12.8% |
Crater Area | 155 | 135 | -12.9% |
Greater Peninsula | 489 | 437 | -10.6% |
Hampton Roads | 1,096 | 985 | -10.1% |
New River/Mt. Rogers | 254 | 213 | -16.1% |
Northern Virginia | 2,072 | 2,008 | -3.1% |
Piedmont Workforce | 354 | 337 | -4.8% |
Shenandoah Valley | 188 | 167 | -11.2% |
South Central | 164 | 134 | -18.3% |
Southwestern Virginia | 167 | 124 | -25.7% |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | 384 | 334 | -13.0% |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Postal Service Clerks
- Couriers and Messengers
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
- Light Truck Drivers
- Freight Forwarders
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Driver/Sales Workers
- Order Clerks
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Office Clerks, General
Careers in Administrative Support Pathway:
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
- Computer Occupations, All Other
- Correspondence Clerks
- Customer Service Representatives
- Data Entry Keyers
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- File Clerks
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
- Library Assistants, Clerical
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- New Accounts Clerks
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
- Office Clerks, General
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
- Order Clerks
- Patient Representatives
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
- Postal Service Clerks
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
- Procurement Clerks
- Receptionists and Information Clerks
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
- Telephone Operators
- Word Processors and Typists
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
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Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Titles
- Carrier
- Carrier Driver
- City Letter Carrier
- City Mail Carrier
- Clerk Carrier
- Collector
- Delivery and Mail Sorter
- Letter Carrier
- Letter Carrier Technician
- Mail Carrier
- Mail Carrier and Clerk
- Mail Carrier Technician
- Mail Deliverer
- Mail Messenger
- Mail Rider
- Mail Sorter and Delivery
- Mailman
- Parcel Post Carrier
- Parcel Post Delivery
- Postal Carrier
- Postal Mail Carrier
- Postman
- Route Carrier
- Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)
- Rural Letter Carrier
- Rural Mail Carrier
- Rural Route Carrier
- Rural Route Mail Carrier
- Special Delivery Mail Carrier
- Special Delivery Messenger
- USPS Letter Carrier
- USPS Letter Carrier (United States Postal Service Letter Carrier)
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Related Schools
There are no Related Schools at this time.The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)