Postal service clerks sort mail, sell stamps, and help customers at post offices and mail facilities. The work is steady, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what it takes to succeed, and how to get in.
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Postal service clerks are the public face of the postal service. You sort incoming and outgoing mail by zip code and delivery route. You sell stamps, process packages, and weigh mail to determine postage. You handle cash transactions and answer customer questions about shipping options and rates. You also verify that mail meets postal standards and identify any items that need special handling. The work is fast-paced and requires attention to detail, as accuracy keeps the mail system running smoothly.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Postal Service Clerks earn a median of $62,130 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 6,100 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a high school diploma or equivalent to apply. Most postal service clerk positions require passing a written exam that tests your reading, math, and reasoning skills. Once hired, you receive on-the-job training that covers mail sorting procedures, customer service, and postal regulations. The training period is typically several weeks. Some candidates take practice tests or attend prep courses beforehand to build confidence in the exam. Your local post office or the postal service website can tell you about current openings and exam schedules in your area.
Most postal service clerks enter through the civil service exam route, which is straightforward and well-defined. If you are ready to move forward, Pathly can map the postal service clerk path that fits you with your school counselor or career advisor to map out the steps and timeline that work for you.
You are organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable following procedures. You like working with people and solving problems quickly. You think in systems and enjoy roles where accuracy and order matter.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).