What Does a Postal Clerk Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a postal clerk do?

Postal service clerks perform tasks in post offices, such as selling stamps, accepting mail and packages, and sorting mail. The median pay is $62,130 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$62,130
$29.87/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.3%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
5,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few weeks of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
70,900
Employment, 2025

What postal clerks do

Postal clerks run the post office counter. They sell stamps and money orders, weigh and accept packages, explain mail options, sort mail for carriers and PO boxes, and handle customer questions.

No formal education is required, and training is short; applicants must pass USPS hiring steps. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

Serve customers
Sell stamps and money orders
Weigh packages
Explain mailing options
Sort mail
Distribute PO box mail
Handle cash

Work environment and schedule

Clerks work in post offices.

Schedule: Full or part time, including early mornings and Saturdays.

A day in the life

6:00 AMSort PO box mail.
7:30 AMDistribute carrier mail.
9:00 AMOpen the window.
10:30 AMShip international packages.

See a full day in the life of a postal clerk →

Postal Clerk salary

Half of postal clerks earned more than $62,130 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,600 for the lowest 10% to $75,030 for the top 10%.

$42,60010th$62,130Median$75,03090th

Full postal clerk pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a postal clerk

Apply on USPS careers
Pass the assessment
Complete training
Work as a clerk
Advance

No formal educational credential is required; applicants pass USPS hiring steps.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a postal clerk →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Postal rates
Mail classes
Cash handling
Package acceptance
Sorting

People skills

Courtesy
Patience
Accuracy
Reliability

All postal clerk skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Federal benefits
Steady work
Customer contact
No degree needed

Cons

Long lines
Early hours
Standing
Little growth

Certifications and licenses

USPS retail training: Required.
Customer service training: Helpful.
Hazmat acceptance training: USPS.
Cash handling: USPS.

Career path

Postal Clerk: Entry.
Lead Clerk: Lead.
Supervisor: Lead.
Postmaster: Run office.

Learn the job before day one

Our Postal Clerk training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as help a customer pick the best mail option and accept an international package, safety and how to land your first job.

View Postal Clerk training Is this career right for me?

Postal Mail Carrier

Deliver mail and packages to homes and businesses for the U.S. Postal Service.

$60,550
2–4 weeks

Mail Sorter

Sort and process mail on high-speed machines at postal plants.

$58,470
A few weeks of training

Postmaster

Run a post office and its mail delivery operations.

$96,660
Postal experience plus management training

Bank Teller

Help bank customers with deposits, withdrawals and everyday banking.

$43,030
A few weeks on the job

Compare: Postal Clerk vs. Mail Carrier · Postal Clerk vs. Mail Sorter · Postal Clerk vs. Postmaster · Postal Clerk vs. Bank Teller

Postal Clerk FAQ

How do I become a postal clerk?

Apply through USPS careers and pass the hiring steps.

Do I need a degree?

No.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a postal clerk make?

The median annual wage for postal clerks was $62,130 ($29.87 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,600 and the highest 10% earned more than $75,030.

How long does it take to become a postal clerk?

Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. No formal educational credential is required; applicants pass USPS hiring steps.

Do you need a degree to be a postal clerk?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-5051 (Postal service clerks).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Postal service clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Postal Clerk