Postal Service Clerks
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.
- O*NET-SOC code
43-5051.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$62,130
Employment, U.S.73,720
Median hourly wage$29.87
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,600 | $56,740 | $62,130 | $70,890 | $75,030 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,240 | $61,640 | 1.24 |
| Alaska | 410 | $57,820 | 2.68 |
| Arizona | 1,190 | $61,710 | 0.78 |
| Arkansas | 970 | $59,490 | 1.56 |
| California | 6,410 | $63,650 | 0.74 |
| Colorado | 1,230 | $60,530 | 0.90 |
| Connecticut | 860 | $62,130 | 1.07 |
| Delaware | 230 | $61,710 | 0.98 |
| District of Columbia | 110 | $67,790 | 0.33 |
| Florida | 3,540 | $62,610 | 0.75 |
| Georgia | 2,070 | $62,610 | 0.89 |
| Hawaii | 430 | $63,650 | 1.44 |
| Idaho | 480 | $60,530 | 1.18 |
| Illinois | 2,720 | $61,710 | 0.94 |
| Indiana | 1,520 | $61,710 | 1.00 |
| Iowa | 1,190 | $59,970 | 1.61 |
| Kansas | 1,290 | $60,530 | 1.89 |
| Kentucky | 1,220 | $62,610 | 1.29 |
| Louisiana | 1,100 | $63,210 | 1.20 |
| Maine | 670 | $62,130 | 2.20 |
| Maryland | 1,240 | $63,210 | 0.94 |
| Massachusetts | 1,950 | $62,610 | 1.13 |
| Michigan | 2,340 | $63,650 | 1.12 |
| Minnesota | 1,380 | $61,050 | 0.99 |
| Mississippi | 790 | $61,050 | 1.43 |
| Missouri | 1,780 | $59,970 | 1.28 |
| Montana | 510 | $58,470 | 2.12 |
| Nebraska | 690 | $59,490 | 1.41 |
| Nevada | 460 | $62,610 | 0.63 |
| New Hampshire | 500 | $62,610 | 1.53 |
| New Jersey | 2,230 | $64,290 | 1.10 |
| New Mexico | 660 | $59,970 | 1.60 |
| New York | 5,030 | $62,690 | 1.10 |
| North Carolina | 2,070 | $64,290 | 0.88 |
| North Dakota | 330 | $57,820 | 1.62 |
| Ohio | 2,430 | $62,690 | 0.92 |
| Oklahoma | 1,040 | $59,490 | 1.29 |
| Oregon | 960 | $60,530 | 1.03 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,650 | $61,050 | 1.27 |
| Rhode Island | 250 | $61,570 | 1.06 |
| South Carolina | 960 | $62,610 | 0.88 |
| South Dakota | 390 | $58,470 | 1.78 |
| Tennessee | 1,330 | $63,210 | 0.85 |
| Texas | 4,900 | $62,610 | 0.73 |
| Utah | 620 | $60,530 | 0.75 |
| Vermont | 400 | $61,050 | 2.77 |
| Virginia | 1,980 | $62,610 | 1.01 |
| Washington | 1,460 | $61,570 | 0.87 |
| West Virginia | 890 | $61,050 | 2.69 |
| Wisconsin | 1,400 | $61,050 | 1.00 |
| Wyoming | 250 | $59,970 | 1.88 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cashiers | 1-2 | 0.971 |
| 2 | Counter and Rental Clerks | 1-2 | 0.965 |
| 3 | Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | 1-2 | 0.962 |
| 4 | Parts Salespersons | 1-2 | 0.960 |
| 5 | Pharmacy Technicians | 3 | 0.956 |
| 6 | Animal Caretakers | 1-2 | 0.955 |
| 7 | Tellers | 1-2 | 0.954 |
| 8 | Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners | 1-2 | 0.951 |
| 9 | Bartenders | 1-2 | 0.949 |
| 10 | Gambling Dealers | 1-2 | 0.949 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Postal Service Clerks, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Attendants | Social Perceptiveness | 0.87 | 0.935 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | Judgment and Decision Making | 0.88 | 0.929 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Postal Service Clerks, excluding software Postal Service Clerks already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge | 3 of 20 | 11.5x |
| Apple Safari | 3 of 20 | 6.6x |
| Mozilla Firefox | 3 of 20 | 5.3x |
| Inventory management systems | 3 of 20 | 4.8x |
| Database software | 7 of 20 | 1.9x |
| 5 of 20 | 1.7x | |
| Microsoft Publisher | 3 of 20 | 1.5x |
| Microsoft Outlook | 15 of 20 | 1.1x |
| Adobe Acrobat | 3 of 20 | 0.8x |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 13 of 20 | 1.0x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.50 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.38 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.62 | 2.00 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.96 | 4.10 |
| English Language | 3.40 | 3.45 |
| Mathematics | 3.35 | 3.18 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.03 | 2.98 |
| Administrative | 3.02 | 3.58 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.00 | 3.59 |
| Transportation | 3.00 | 3.07 |
| Administration and Management | 2.94 | 2.97 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.92 | 2.45 |
| Production and Processing | 2.82 | 2.75 |
| Education and Training | 2.66 | 2.82 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.39 | 2.00 |
| Psychology | 2.37 | 1.80 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.33 | 2.07 |
| Mechanical | 2.20 | 1.60 |
| Communications and Media | 2.16 | 1.88 |
| Telecommunications | 2.12 | 1.70 |
| Law and Government | 2.03 | 1.92 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.86 | 1.47 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.84 | 1.36 |
| Geography | 1.75 | 1.63 |
| Design | 1.60 | 0.99 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.55 | 1.19 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.53 | 1.38 |
| Physics | 1.51 | 1.04 |
| Chemistry | 1.44 | 0.93 |
| Foreign Language | 1.44 | 0.65 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.43 | 0.53 |
| Building and Construction | 1.34 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.18 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.17 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.12 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.11 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 3.75 |
| Oral Expression | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Near Vision | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Information Ordering | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Trunk Strength | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Number Facility | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.00 | 2.12 |
| Far Vision | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Written Expression | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Time Sharing | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Static Strength | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.50 | 2.25 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Stamina | 2.50 | 1.75 |
| Control Precision | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Memorization | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Visualization | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Originality | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Depth Perception | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Rate Control | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Reaction Time | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.25 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.25 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Budgeting software
- Delivery operations information system DOIS
- Electronic Time Clock ETC
- Inventory tracking software
- NCR Advanced Store
- Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 120 | 4.17 | $63,210 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 150 | 3.36 | $62,610 |
| Wichita, KS | 480 | 3.27 | $63,650 |
| Charleston, WV | 110 | 2.14 | $58,470 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 110 | 1.94 | $60,530 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 120 | 1.75 | $62,610 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 210 | 1.63 | $64,630 |
| Worcester, MA | 270 | 1.61 | $64,290 |
| Syracuse, NY | 210 | 1.46 | $62,610 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 740 | 1.40 | $61,050 |