Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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.
Tasks Include:
- Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
- Clear jams in sorting equipment.
- Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -9.4%
National: -7.9%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$53,440.00
State
$53,440.00
Regional
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Description
| Career Cluster: | Business, Management & Administration
|
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 81.39%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 12.48%
- Some College Courses = 6.14%
Related Work Experience
- None = 70.52%
- Up to and including 1 month = 9.43%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 8.29%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 6.41%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 2.70%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 1.97%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 0.67%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Up to and including 1 month = 55.29%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 21.79%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 20.23%
- None = 1.20%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 0.90%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 0.60%
On-the-Job Training
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 45.27%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 25.36%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 16.35%
- None or short demonstration = 10.53%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 1.64%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 0.84%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
- Clear jams in sorting equipment.
- Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
- Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
- Train new workers.
- Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
- Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
- 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.
- Open and label mail containers.
- Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
- Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
- Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
- Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Knowledge
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 51.00 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Skills
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 53.00 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| 50.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| 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 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Abilities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 68.75 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| 59.50 | Manual Dexterity | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
| 53.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
| 53.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| 53.00 | Static Strength | The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. |
| 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 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| 53.00 | Multilimb Coordination | The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
| 50.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| 50.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| 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 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| 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 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| 50.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| 50.00 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Work Activities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 69.75 | 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. |
| 69.75 | Handling and Moving Objects | Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| 68.50 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| 63.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| 57.50 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| 54.50 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| 52.00 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| 51.75 | Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| 50.00 | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| 49.50 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Work Styles
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 78.00 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| 75.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
| 74.25 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| 73.00 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
| 72.75 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
| 67.25 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
| 66.00 | 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. |
| 64.75 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| 60.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
| 60.50 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| 57.00 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
| 55.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
| 55.00 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
| 52.75 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Work Values
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 61.17 | 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. |
| 55.50 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Work Context
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 99.80 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
| 93.80 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| 90.80 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
| 90.20 | 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? |
| 88.00 | 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? |
| 86.20 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
| 85.00 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| 82.20 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
| 80.80 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| 80.80 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| 78.60 | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) |
| 76.00 | 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? |
| 75.00 | Spend Time Walking and Running | How much does this job require walking and running? |
| 74.60 | Degree of Automation | How automated is the job? |
| 73.20 | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body | How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? |
| 73.20 | 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? |
| 72.00 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
| 70.00 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
| 68.60 | 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? |
| 67.20 | 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? |
| 64.80 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| 62.20 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
| 62.00 | 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? |
| 61.80 | 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? |
| 60.40 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
| 59.00 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
| 52.00 | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? |
| 51.40 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
| 51.00 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
| 50.20 | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? |
| 49.80 | Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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 onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Earnings Benefits*
| Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $41,700.00 | $53,440.00 | $70,740.00 |
| Virginia | $41,700.00 | $53,440.00 | $70,740.00 |
| Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
| Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $41,240.00 | $53,020.00 | $61,310.00 |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Hampton Roads | $43,040.00 | $53,440.00 | $60,790.00 |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Northern Virginia | $43,500.00 | $55,470.00 | $65,880.00 |
| Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | $42,570.00 | $53,440.00 | $62,710.00 |
* 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 onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Employment Projections
USA: 2023-2033
Virginia: 2022-2032
Regions: 2020-2030
| Current | Projected | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 111,300 | 102,500 | -7.9% |
| Virginia | 2,582 | 2,340 | -9.4% |
| Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
| Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Postal Service Clerks
- Stockers and Order Fillers
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
- Data Entry Keyers
- File Clerks
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Packers and Packagers, Hand
- Couriers and Messengers
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Office Clerks, General
- Cargo and Freight Agents
- Postal Service Mail Carriers
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
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 onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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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 onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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 onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Titles
- Assorter
- Automation Clerk
- Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk)
- Data Conversion Operator
- Dead Mail Checker
- Distribution Clerk
- Distributor
- Equipment Operator
- Flat Sorter Operator
- Flat Sorting Machine Clerk (FSM Clerk)
- Letter Sorting Machine Operator (LSM Operator)
- Mail Distribution Clerk
- Mail Distribution Scheme Examiner
- Mail Distributor
- Mail Forwarding System Markup Clerk
- Mail Handler
- Mail Handler Sorter
- Mail Opener
- Mail Processing
- Mail Processor
- Mail Sorter
- Mail Weigher
- Mailing Section Clerk
- Parcel Post Distribution Machine Operator (PDPMO)
- Post Office Markup Clerk
- Postal Clerk
- Postal Service Mail Processor
- Postal Transportation Clerk
- Registry Clerk
- Small Package and Bundle Sorter Clerk (SPBS Clerk)
- Sorter
- Sorting Machine Operator
- Window Clerk
- ZMT Operator (Zip Mail Translator Operator)
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Related Schools
There are no Related Schools at this time.The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)