Mail Carrier
A mail carrier is a professional responsible for the delivery of letters and packages to both residential and commercial addresses. They are typically employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or private shipping companies and may navigate their routes on foot, by vehicle, or using bicycles. The role involves significant customer interaction, necessitating familiarity with delivery procedures, shipping costs, and timelines. Mail carriers work outdoors, often facing various weather conditions, and their job may require them to work on weekends and holidays.
While no formal education is typically required, a high school diploma or GED is preferred, and candidates often undergo assessments for hiring. The job can appeal to a diverse range of individuals, including students seeking temporary work and professionals looking to transition into a new field. Mail carriers must possess good organizational and customer service skills, as well as the ability to use various technologies, including GPS and logistical software. However, the occupation is currently experiencing a projected decline in employment opportunities. Despite this, the need for mail carriers remains vital to the functioning of postal and shipping services.
Mail Carrier
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration
Interests: Walking for long distances, working outdoors, customer service
Earnings (Yearly Median): $56,510 per year $27.17 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -8% (Decline)
Entry-Level Education No formal education credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Mail carriers distribute letters and packages to residences and commercial and industrial buildings. Carriers are employed by private commercial shipping companies or by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Mail carriers may work on foot, in delivery vehicles, or on bicycles. Working as a mail carrier requires extensive interaction with customers and a sound knowledge of the city or region in which one is employed.
Mail carriers are required to work in moderate to severe weather conditions and, depending on their employer, during several major holidays and on weekends.
Work Environment. Mail carriers work primarily outdoors, in both business and residential areas. Some mail carriers work both on foot and with the assistance of a vehicle, while others utilize bicycles to forgo the need for parking and other vehicular requirements. Mail distribution requires several consecutive hours of walking on a daily basis, regardless of weather conditions. However, mail carriers may have their routes temporarily suspended in the event of catastrophic weather events or natural disasters.
Occupation Interest. Mail carriers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many are professionals eager to gain entry-level experience as a foundation for a career in shipping and distribution. Some mail carriers and messengers are students who take the position on a temporary basis as summer employment or during breaks from study. Other mail carriers are people who have transitioned to the field after years of experience in another professional realm. In 2024, the Office of the Postal Service Inspector General warned that the USPS may be facing a wave of retirement in the coming decade, potentially leading to a worker shortage.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Mail carriers travel established delivery routes on a daily basis, delivering packages and letters and visiting drop-off points, such as mailboxes and package drop boxes, to collect mail for delivery.
Depending on the type of mail being delivered, mail carriers must interact with mail recipients by accepting payment for deliveries, collecting signatures to confirm delivery, or providing miscellaneous information and paper to recipients. Mail carriers must be well versed in shipping procedures, deadlines, and costs in order to provide information to inquiring customers.
Some mail-delivery routes have a low volume of stops across several miles, while others require a high volume of deliveries in a relatively small area. Mail carriers who finish their routes early often assist with larger incomplete routes or are asked to complete other tasks, such as sorting, filing, or other light clerical duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Mail carriers work outdoors, in both urban and rural environments, delivering mail to all locations with a designated physical mailing address. Urban mail carriers may spend an extended amount of time distributing mail inside large buildings.
Human Environment. Mail carriers act as liaisons between postal and shipping organizations and the general public. Organization and amicability are helpful attributes for those interested in the field. Good memory skills and the ability to grasp complex spatial concepts are also beneficial.
Technological Environment. Mail carriers utilize an array of technologies, from shipping software to handheld logistical tracking tools such DIAD (Delivery Information Acquisition Device) notebooks. Mail carriers should be able to easily use Global Positioning Systems.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma or GED certificate is usually preferred but not specifically required to become a mail carrier. Many employers, notably the United States Postal Service, require candidates to complete a basic mathematical aptitude test. Prospective workers for the Postal Service must take a Virtual Entry Assessment.
Postsecondary. No postsecondary education is required to become a mail carrier.
Related Occupations
− Mail Clerk & Messenger
− Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Bibliography
"43-5052 Postal Service Mail Carriers." Occupational Employment Statistics. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes435052.htm. Accessed.
"About NALC." National Association of Letter Carriers. NACL, 2016. 29 Sept. 2016.
"Delivery and Operations." United States Postal Service. USPS, 2016. 29 Sept. 2016.
Heckman, Jory. "USPS Is Growing Its Workforce, But a 'Retirement Wave' May be Coming Soon, Watchdog Warns." Federal News Network, 20 Aug. 2024, federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2024/08/usps-is-growing-its-workforce-but-a-retirement-wave-may-be-coming-soon-watchdog-warns/. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Postal Service Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/postal-service-workers.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.