Postal Service Mail Carriers
Overview
Mail carriers sort and deliver mail to homes and businesses along specific routes, either by walking or driving. They handle special deliveries like registered and certified mail, collect payments, manage address changes, and ensure mail reaches the right people safely. This job combines physical activity with customer service skills and often uses modern technology like GPS systems and handheld scanners. Most positions require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, offering stable employment with benefits and opportunities to work independently while serving your community.
Did you know?
Mail carriers must be prepared for extensive walking (often 4-8 miles daily), carrying heavy mail bags, and working outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$57,023.53 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Repairing
Key Responsibilities
- Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.
- Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
- Sell stamps and money orders.
- Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
- Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
- Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
- Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
- Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.
- Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
- Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
- Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Weather Exposure
Mail carriers must be prepared for extensive walking (often 4-8 miles daily), carrying heavy mail bags, and working outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow.
Federal Employment Benefits
As USPS employees, mail carriers receive comprehensive federal benefits including health insurance, retirement plans (FERS and TSP), paid time off, and job security with union representation.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Mail carriers can advance within the postal service to supervisory positions, specialized roles like postal inspector, or transfer to indoor positions such as postal clerk or mail processing roles.