How to become postal service clerkseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Logistics Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$62,130

25th–75th pct. $56,740–$70,890

Top pay (est.)

$97,500

Top 10% $75,030

Pay in 5 years

$71,100est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$81,300est.

$69,900–$94,400

Outlook score

36/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

52%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

−0.3%

5,300 openings / yr

How to become postal service clerks

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Postal Service Clerks

Key skills

Critical Thinking

3.2

Active Listening

3.1

Reading Comprehension

3.1

Service Orientation

3.0

Speaking

3.0

Writing

3.0

Time Management

2.6

Persuasion

2.5

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

4.1

Computers and Electronics

3.6

Administrative

3.6

English Language

3.5

Mathematics

3.2

Transportation

3.1

Sales and Marketing

3.0

Administration and Management

3.0

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionNear VisionWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClaritySpeech Recognition

Education of workers

High school diploma

68%

Some college

18%

Less than high school

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

51%

3–6 months

18%

1–2 years

11%

1–3 months

10%

6–12 months

2–4 years

Over 10 years

None / short demo

Related work experience

None

27%

1–2 years

26%

6–12 months

15%

Up to 1 month

11%

2–4 years

Over 10 years

4–6 years

3–6 months

1–3 months

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as postal service clerks

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor.	$40,240	45/100	33%
2	Stockers and Order Fillers Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders.	$37,330	61/100	35%
3	Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory.	$45,260	25/100	54%
4	Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.	$46,420	43/100	30%
5	Packers and Packagers, Hand Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.	$36,280	33/100	38%
6	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule.	$59,650	34/100	70%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.