Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Postal Clerk
What postal 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 postal clerk?
Sort PO box mail. From there, the day usually includes serve customers, sell stamps and money orders, and weigh packages. Full or part time, including early mornings and Saturdays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a postal clerk working full time.
- Sort PO box mail.
- Distribute carrier mail.
- Open the window.
- Ship international packages.
- Sell money orders.
- Handle a claim.
- Balance the drawer.
Where postal clerks work
Clerks work in post offices.
Hours and schedule
Full or part time, including early mornings and Saturdays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Serve customers
- Sell stamps and money orders
- Weigh packages
- Explain mailing options
- Sort mail
- Distribute PO box mail
- Handle cash
Tools you’ll use every day
- Retail systems
- Scales
- Scanners
- Sorting cases
- Cash drawers
- Label printers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Federal benefits
- Steady work
- Customer contact
- No degree needed
What’s hard
- Long lines
- Early hours
- Standing
- Little growth
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like helping customers
- I’m accurate with money
- I can stand
- I like steady work
- I want federal benefits
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Postal Clerk fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Screen for hazmat
- Lift safely
- Follow security rules
- Protect cash