How much does a post office clerk make?

In the U.S., career USPS clerks receive regular pay-step increases, so experience can raise their base pay. Night work and overtime may add extra pay, and the number of hours worked affects total earnings.

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

What's a typical day like?

At the counter, a clerk weighs parcels, works out postage, sells stamps or money orders, and answers mailing questions. Between customers, they check postage and may sort letters and packages into the right slots.

In the U.S., a high school diploma is helpful but usually not required; apply for a USPS sales-and-service clerk job and pass its online customer-service assessment (Exam 477). You generally must be 18 (or 16 with a diploma) and learn on the job.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.

Before ZIP Codes arrived in 1963, U.S. postal clerks had to memorize the names and locations of thousands of post offices to sort mail.