What Does a Postmaster Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a postmaster do?

Postmasters and mail superintendents direct and coordinate operational, administrative, management and support services of a U.S. post office. The median pay is $96,660 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Postal experience plus management 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
$96,660
$46.47/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.3%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
900
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Postal experience plus management training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
13,300
Employment, 2025

What postmasters do

Postmasters run local post offices. They supervise clerks and carriers, manage mail flow and delivery routes, handle customer issues, oversee budgets and safety and make sure the office meets service standards.

A high school diploma plus postal experience is typical; most postmasters are promoted from within USPS. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

Supervise clerks and carriers
Manage mail flow
Oversee routes
Handle customer issues
Manage budgets
Ensure safety
Meet service standards

Work environment and schedule

Postmasters work in post offices.

Schedule: Full time, often early mornings and Saturdays.

A day in the life

6:00 AMCheck mail arrival.
7:00 AMAssign routes.
8:30 AMOpen the retail counter.
10:00 AMHandle a complaint.

See a full day in the life of a postmaster →

Postmaster salary

Half of postmasters earned more than $96,660 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $85,090 for the lowest 10% to $111,740 for the top 10%.

$85,09010th$96,660Median$111,74090th

Full postmaster pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a postmaster

Work for USPS
Become a supervisor
Complete management training
Apply for postmaster
Advance

A high school diploma plus postal experience is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a postmaster →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Postal operations
Supervision
Route management
Budgeting
Customer service

People skills

Leadership
Organization
Communication
Problem-solving

All postmaster skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Federal benefits
Community role
Stable employer
Leadership

Cons

Early hours
Staffing shortages
Service pressure
Little growth

Certifications and licenses

USPS management training: Internal programs.
Supervisor program: Associate Supervisor Program.
Safety training: USPS.
Customer service training: USPS.

Career path

Clerk or Carrier: Entry.
Supervisor: Lead.
Postmaster: Run office.
District Manager: Lead districts.

Learn the job before day one

Our Postmaster training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a post office’s morning operations and resolve a missing package complaint, safety and how to land your first job.

View Postmaster training Is this career right for me?

Postal Clerk

Serve customers at the post office counter and sort mail.

$62,130
A few weeks of training

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

Logistics Manager

Run the warehouses and transportation that move goods to customers.

$107,230
5+ years of experience

Compare: Postmaster vs. Postal Clerk · Postmaster vs. Mail Carrier · Postmaster vs. Mail Sorter · Postmaster vs. Logistics Manager

Postmaster FAQ

How do you become a postmaster?

Usually by promotion within USPS.

Is it a federal job?

Yes, USPS is a federal entity.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a postmaster make?

The median annual wage for postmasters was $96,660 ($46.47 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $85,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $111,740.

How long does it take to become a postmaster?

Most people need about Postal experience plus management training of training. A high school diploma plus postal experience is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a postmaster?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-9131 (Postmasters and mail superintendents).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Postmasters and mail superintendents (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.

Postmaster