Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.

What you'd actually do

• Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
• Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
• Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
• Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
• Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
• Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 2.1% of mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused and hands-on.

Related careers

• Brokerage Clerks
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
• Couriers and Messengers
• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
• Receptionists and Information Clerks

Quick questions

How much does a mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service make?

The median pay is $18.89 per hour — roughly $39,500 a year, with the real range running from about $14.80/hr (10th percentile) to $26.36/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service actually do all day?

Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines. Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing. Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.