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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators to decrease by -5.3% between 2024 and 2034, from 101,200 to 95,900 jobs. Its estimate of 7,300 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($58,470), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
101,200
Projected employment (2034)
95,900
Projected change (2024–2034)
-5%
Annual openings (projected average)
7,300
Pay & Preparation
$58,470
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Monitoring (3.12/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5) • Coordination (3/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Active Listening (2.88/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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