Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

43-5053.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

Also known as: Assorter, Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Dead Mail Checker, Distribution Clerk, Distribution Handler, Distributor, Equipment Operator, ...

Annual Salary

$56,530

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$47,380 25th – 75th percentile $72,970
10th percentile $42,600
90th percentile $74,050
U.S. Employment: 111,930

Job Outlook

-8.4%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 7,800 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  • Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  • Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
  • Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
  • Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
  • Train new workers.
  • Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
  • Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
  • Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
  • Open and label mail containers.

Top Skills

Monitoring 3.1
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Active Listening 2.9
Operations Monitoring 2.9
Judgment and Decision Making 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

English Language 3.0
Production and Processing 2.5
Customer and Personal Service 2.4
Administrative 2.3
Administration and Management 2.2
Transportation 2.1
Public Safety and Security 2.1
Computers and Electronics 1.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
81.4%
< High School
12.5%
Some College
6.1%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word SAP software Teradata Database

Other Tools

Address Management System AMS Automated Package Processing System APPS Barcode reader software Delivery operations information system DOIS Delivery Routing System DRS Directory software Electronic Time Clock ETC Multi-line optical character reader OCR software NCR Advanced Store Time and Attendance Collection System TACS

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.4
Attention to Detail
2.3
Dependability
1.4
Integrity
1.0
Stress Tolerance
1.0
Cautiousness
0.8
Perseverance
0.7
Cooperation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Near Vision 3.8
Manual Dexterity 3.4
Written Comprehension 3.1
Static Strength 3.1
Perceptual Speed 3.1
Multilimb Coordination 3.1
Information Ordering 3.1
Category Flexibility 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Handling and Moving Objects 3.8
Performing General Physical Activities 3.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.7
Getting Information 3.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.3
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.2
Processing Information 3.1
Controlling Machines and Processes 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
5.0
Time Pressure
4.7
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
4.5
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.5
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
4.4
Spend Time Standing
4.3
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.3
Exposed to Contaminants
4.1
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.0
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.0
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
3.9
Contact With Others
3.8

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.