What Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service this way: "Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines"; "Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters"; "Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing"; "Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary"; "Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 57,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 53,600 in 2035, a decrease of 4,200 jobs (-7.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 4,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $39,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $42,674 in New Jersey to $43,227 in New York, a gap of $554 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $39,280 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,390, which is 51.2% of the 14,440 counted across them. New York follows with 7,050.
Highest-paying states
New York ($43,227) and New Jersey ($42,674) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($42,674) and New York ($43,227) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-9000) include Word Processors and Typists, Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks, Office Clerks, General and Data Entry Keyers.
Frequently asked questions about Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
What is the national median wage for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $39,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $42,674 to $43,227.
Which state pays Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $43,227. New Jersey is next at $42,674.
What is the job outlook for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 7.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 4,700 openings a year.
What education do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.