Occupation

Postal Service Mail Carriers

Human Advantage 61%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
5.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Also Known As: Carrier, Carrier Associate, Carrier Driver, City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant (CCA), City Letter Carrier, City Mail Carrier, Clerk Carrier +29 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
  2. Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
  3. Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
  4. Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
  5. Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
  6. Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
  7. Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
  8. Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
  9. Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
  10. Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
  11. Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
  12. Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
  13. Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
  14. Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
  15. Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.
  16. Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.
  17. Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
  2. Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.
  3. Sell stamps and money orders.
  4. Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
78%
Less than a High School Diploma
15%
Some College Courses
7%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (11)

  • Address Management System AMS
  • Automated Data Collection System ADCS
  • Delivery Routing System DRS
  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • Electronic Time Clock ETC
  • End of Run Report EOR
  • Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (12)

  • Delivery unit computers
  • Handheld computers
  • Mail distribution cases
  • Mail relay boxes
  • Mail sorting trays
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Portable barcode scanners
  • Postal vehicle tire chains
  • Route cases
  • Small trucks
  • Time clocks
  • Wheeled carts

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Postal Service Mail Carriers You are here
Zone 3
Police Identification and Records Officers 76% match
Zone 4
Range Managers 76% match
Zone 5
Archivists 73% match

Resume Builder

Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Postal Service Mail Carriers positions.

Related Occupations

Compare skills gap with any of these related roles.

Postal Service ClerksClosely Related Couriers and MessengersClosely Related Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceClosely Related Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksClosely Related Cargo and Freight AgentsClosely Related Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Postmasters and Mail Superintendents Freight Forwarders
Show all 20 related occupations
Light Truck Drivers Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance Driver/Sales Workers Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks Customer Service Representatives Baggage Porters and Bellhops Stockers and Order Fillers Counter and Rental Clerks Order Clerks Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Office Clerks, General Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

Real Talk

Hear from real Postal Service Mail Carrierss about their work:

Reddit Day-in-the-life discussions Reddit Salary discussions YouTube Video day-in-the-life Glassdoor Reviews & salaries