Office & Administrative Support
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Also called: City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant (CCA), City Letter Carrier, City Mail Carrier
US median pay
$60,550
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-0.3%
declining
Openings a year (US)
19,600
316,400 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.
What they do day to day
- Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
- Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
- Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
- Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
- Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
- Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
- Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
- Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
- Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
- Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Service Orientation2.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6/5
- Operations Monitoring2.2/5
- Operation and Control2.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.2/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
- Transportation3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma78%
- Less than high school15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.