Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Mail Clerk
What mail clerks actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a mail clerk?
Receive the USPS delivery. From there, the day usually includes sort incoming mail, deliver mail and packages, and run postage meters. Full-time daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a mail clerk working full time.
- Receive the USPS delivery.
- Sort mail by department.
- Deliver the morning route.
- Run an inserting machine.
- Meter outgoing mail.
- Log packages.
- Hand off outgoing mail.
Where mail clerks work
Mail clerks work in mailrooms of companies, hospitals, universities and print shops.
Hours and schedule
Full-time daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Sort incoming mail
- Deliver mail and packages
- Run postage meters
- Operate folding and inserting machines
- Prepare bulk mailings
- Track packages
- Screen suspicious mail
Tools you’ll use every day
- Postage meters
- Folding and inserting machines
- Package trackers
- Scales
- Carts
- Label printers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Short training
- Active work
- Regular hours
- Clear tasks
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Lifting
- Repetitive
- Low pay
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like moving around
- I’m organized
- I’m reliable
- I like machines
- I want short training
- I like regular hours
Not sure? Take the free Mail Clerk fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Lift safely
- Follow suspicious mail procedures
- Use machine guards
- Keep aisles clear