Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
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.
- O*NET-SOC code
43-9051.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$39,280
Employment, U.S.55,230
Median hourly wage$18.89
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,780 | $35,470 | $39,280 | $46,450 | $54,820 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 470 | $36,190 | 0.63 |
| Alaska | 130 | Not available | 1.14 |
| Arizona | 810 | $38,260 | 0.70 |
| Arkansas | 330 | $37,940 | 0.71 |
| California | 4,710 | $44,410 | 0.73 |
| Colorado | 880 | $43,430 | 0.86 |
| Connecticut | 680 | $43,970 | 1.12 |
| Delaware | 630 | $36,450 | 3.68 |
| District of Columbia | 310 | $49,240 | 1.25 |
| Florida | 2,470 | $39,300 | 0.70 |
| Georgia | 1,850 | $36,110 | 1.06 |
| Hawaii | 200 | $38,270 | 0.88 |
| Idaho | 110 | $39,890 | 0.36 |
| Illinois | 3,150 | $38,190 | 1.46 |
| Indiana | 1,310 | $38,490 | 1.16 |
| Iowa | 830 | $35,610 | 1.50 |
| Kansas | 750 | $36,020 | 1.47 |
| Kentucky | 530 | $37,890 | 0.75 |
| Louisiana | 590 | $34,860 | 0.86 |
| Maine | 160 | $44,780 | 0.72 |
| Maryland | 1,580 | $40,280 | 1.61 |
| Massachusetts | 1,050 | $48,860 | 0.81 |
| Michigan | 1,660 | $36,900 | 1.06 |
| Minnesota | 1,170 | $44,840 | 1.11 |
| Mississippi | 270 | $34,350 | 0.65 |
| Missouri | 1,140 | $38,110 | 1.10 |
| Montana | 180 | $38,880 | 1.01 |
| Nebraska | 240 | $40,080 | 0.66 |
| Nevada | 420 | $40,520 | 0.77 |
| New Hampshire | 280 | $41,060 | 1.15 |
| New Jersey | 2,210 | $43,700 | 1.45 |
| New Mexico | 100 | $40,080 | 0.32 |
| New York | 5,990 | $42,020 | 1.74 |
| North Carolina | 1,280 | $37,830 | 0.73 |
| North Dakota | 110 | $38,120 | 0.71 |
| Ohio | 2,210 | $38,470 | 1.12 |
| Oklahoma | 810 | $36,680 | 1.34 |
| Oregon | 370 | $43,450 | 0.53 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,810 | $37,980 | 1.31 |
| Rhode Island | 310 | $38,330 | 1.74 |
| South Carolina | 580 | $36,780 | 0.71 |
| South Dakota | 320 | $37,580 | 1.97 |
| Tennessee | 760 | $35,610 | 0.65 |
| Texas | 3,250 | $38,470 | 0.65 |
| Utah | 460 | $45,150 | 0.75 |
| Vermont | 120 | $45,380 | 1.09 |
| Virginia | 1,610 | $36,780 | 1.10 |
| Washington | 1,360 | $46,380 | 1.08 |
| West Virginia | 270 | $35,140 | 1.07 |
| Wisconsin | 1,310 | $37,730 | 1.25 |
| Wyoming | 90 | $32,940 | 0.95 |
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 | Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | 1-2 | 0.945 |
| 2 | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | 1-2 | 0.943 |
| 3 | Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | 1-2 | 0.941 |
| 4 | Transportation Security Screeners | 1-2 | 0.939 |
| 5 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 1-2 | 0.938 |
| 6 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 3 | 0.929 |
| 7 | Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | 1-2 | 0.928 |
| 8 | Bartenders | 1-2 | 0.927 |
| 9 | Medical Equipment Preparers | 1-2 | 0.927 |
| 10 | Couriers and Messengers | 1-2 | 0.926 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | Service Orientation | 1.00 | 0.945 |
| Pharmacy Aides | Service Orientation | 1.24 | 0.924 |
| Animal Caretakers | Service Orientation | 1.00 | 0.922 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | Service Orientation | 1.12 | 0.921 |
| Postal Service Clerks | Service Orientation | 1.12 | 0.920 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | Service Orientation | 0.87 | 0.917 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | Service Orientation | 1.24 | 0.913 |
| Cashiers | Service Orientation | 1.00 | 0.913 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | Service Orientation | 1.12 | 0.913 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | Service Orientation | 1.24 | 0.907 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service, excluding software Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery operations information system DOIS | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Electronic Time Clock ETC | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Time and Attendance Collection System TACS | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Inventory tracking software | 3 of 20 | 3.1x |
| MEDITECH software | 3 of 20 | 1.8x |
| Database software | 3 of 20 | 0.8x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.50 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 1.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 1.88 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.38 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.38 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.12 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.12 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.85 | 4.15 |
| English Language | 3.36 | 2.94 |
| Mathematics | 2.97 | 2.21 |
| Law and Government | 2.55 | 1.96 |
| Education and Training | 2.54 | 2.48 |
| Administrative | 2.53 | 2.83 |
| Administration and Management | 2.42 | not rated |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.27 | 1.78 |
| Transportation | 2.06 | 1.35 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.00 | 2.53 |
| Communications and Media | 1.82 | not rated |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.82 | not rated |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.67 | 0.99 |
| Telecommunications | 1.65 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.63 | not rated |
| Production and Processing | 1.58 | not rated |
| Psychology | 1.48 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.46 | 0.88 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.40 | not rated |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.33 | not rated |
| Design | 1.27 | not rated |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.19 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.13 | not rated |
| Mechanical | 1.13 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.11 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.11 | not rated |
| Chemistry | 1.09 | not rated |
| Physics | 1.09 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.06 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.03 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.02 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.01 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.01 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Near Vision | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Information Ordering | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Oral Expression | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Speech Clarity | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Static Strength | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Written Expression | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Selective Attention | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Far Vision | 2.88 | 2.50 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Control Precision | 2.62 | 2.38 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Rate Control | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.38 | 2.38 |
| Reaction Time | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Time Sharing | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Visualization | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Stamina | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Memorization | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Number Facility | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Depth Perception | 2.12 | 1.62 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.12 | 1.62 |
| Response Orientation | 2.12 | 1.50 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Originality | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.38 | 0.50 |
| Night Vision | 1.25 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.25 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.12 | 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 Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- Adobe Acrobat hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Email software
- Financial accounting software
- Postal Explorer
- Recordkeeping software
- Web browser software
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 280 | 6.88 | $35,500 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 210 | 5.49 | $33,750 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 490 | 3.08 | $42,320 |
| Springfield, IL | 110 | 3.05 | $35,820 |
| Tulsa, OK | 450 | 2.79 | $36,680 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 120 | 2.79 | $38,730 |
| Reading, PA | 170 | 2.78 | $35,800 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 400 | 2.76 | $35,720 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 150 | 2.41 | $38,020 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 630 | 2.15 | $37,730 |