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Postal Service Clerks

Nature of the Work About this section

Postal Service clerks sell stamps, money orders, postal stationery, and mailing envelopes and boxes in post offices throughout the country. These workers register, certify, and insure mail, calculate and collect postage, and answer questions about other postal matters.

Education and Training About this section

All applicants for Postal Service jobs are required to take an examination. Additionally, they must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or have been granted permanent resident-alien status in the United States. Males must have registered with the Selective Service upon reaching age 18. A good command of the English language is also required.

Job Outlook About this section

Current and Projected Employment.

2008 Employment 75,800
2018 Employment 62,100
Employment Change -13,700
Growth Rate -18%

Employment change. Employment is projected to decline rapidly. Postal Service clerks will be adversely affected by the decline in first-class mail volume because of the increasing use of electronic mail and automated bill pay.

Job prospects. Keen competition for jobs is expected. The number of applicants usually exceeds the number of job openings because of the occupation's low entry requirements and attractive wages and benefits.

Earnings About this section

Median annual wages of postal service clerks were $51,040 in May 2008.

Counter and rental clerks; Postal Service mail carriers; Postal Service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators; Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks.

Sources of Additional Information About this section


Disclaimer:

Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

United States Postal Service. Contact your local post office. Internet: http://www.usps.com

O*NET-SOC Code Coverage About this section

Get more information from O*NET—the Occupational Information Network:

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations. For information on a specific occupation, select the appropriate link below. For more information on O*NET, visit their homepage.


Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Postal Service Clerks , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos344.htm (visited February 10, 2012).

 

Last Modified Date: December 17, 2009