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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.

Median salary (BLS)

$39,280

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$31k – $55k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$500–$3,150

Time to qualify

1 yr

Renewal

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    Industry certification (optional for many roles)

    Certification

    Role-dependent — e.g. CPA, Series 7/65, PMP, SHRM. Not always required, but often expected for advancement.

    $500–$3,000 · 6 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

    Entry / Junior

    $30,780

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

    Established

    $39,280

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

    Senior

    $47,050

Key skills

A typical day

  • Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
  • Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
  • Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
  • Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
  • Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.