Career comparison
Mail Sorter vs. Postmaster
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Postmasters earn more at the median ($96,660 vs. $58,470), while mail sorters usually get to work faster (A few weeks of training of training). Mail sorters sort and process mail on high-speed machines at postal plants. Postmasters run a post office and its mail delivery operations.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Mail Sorter | Postmaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,470 ($28.11/hr) | $96,660 ($46.47/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,530 – $75,280 | $85,090 – $111,740 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.3% (a projected decline) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 7,300 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | Postal experience plus management training |
| Key credential | USPS training | USPS management training |
| Work setting | Sorters work in large processing plants.. | Postmasters work in post offices.. |
What each job does
Mail Sorter
- Load sorting machines
- Sweep sorted mail
- Handle packages
- Move containers
- Clear jams
Postmaster
- Supervise clerks and carriers
- Manage mail flow
- Oversee routes
- Handle customer issues
- Manage budgets
How they’re similar
Both careers involve steady routines. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose mail sorter if…
- I can work nights
- I like physical work
- I want federal benefits
Choose postmaster if…
- I work for or want to join USPS
- I like leading teams
- I’m organized
Still torn? Take the Mail Sorter fit quiz and the Postmaster fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, mail sorter or postmaster?
Postmasters earn more at the median: $96,660 versus $58,470 for mail sorters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Mail Sorters typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than postmasters (Postal experience plus management training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects postmasters to grow -0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -5.3% for mail sorters.