Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Also called: Addressing Machine Operator, Addressograph Operator, Advertising Inserter, Canceling Machine Operator, Dead Mail Checker, Direct Mail Clerk, Distribution Clerk, Envelope Sealer Operator
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution.
What Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service do
Typical tasks
- Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
- Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- Clear jams in sortation equipment.
- Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
- Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
- Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
- Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
- Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
- Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
- Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes.
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service salary
The median annual wage for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service is $39,280 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $30,780 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $54,820. The mean annual wage is $41,650.
The mean hourly wage of $20.00 is 2.8× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $39,280 → in 3 years $41,600 → in 5 years $43,200 → in 10 years $47,600 (10-year range $40,900–$55,200). The model assumes pay growth of +1.9% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.