Postal Service Mail Carriers
O*NET 43-5052.00 · SOC 43-5052
Postal Service Mail Carrier is a risky career choice. Median pay is $61k a year with -0.3% projected growth through 2035 (declining) and about 19,600 openings a year. AI exposure: High.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Deliver letters and packages along an assigned route
- →Collect outgoing mail from residential and business mailboxes
- →Obtain signatures for certified or registered mail deliveries
- →Return undeliverable mail to the post office for processing
- →Notify customers of packages too large for their mailbox
Education & How to Get In
Postal Service Mail Carrier roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths — you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Structured — offices, data centers, or remote
Independent — focused deep work with periodic team check-ins
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Postal Service Mail Carrier involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Postal Service Mail Carrier?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering — personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Postal Service Mail Carrier Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Postal Service Mail Carriers is projected to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, declining for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·57% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target
- ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Postal Service Mail Carrier make?
The median Postal Service Mail Carrier earns $61k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Postal Service Mail Carrier jobs?
Our model puts Postal Service Mail Carrier at 68 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is high disruption risk. The main drivers: 57% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target; industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory.
Is Postal Service Mail Carrier a growing field?
Employment is projected to shrink 0.3% between 2025 and 2035, which is declining. That works out to roughly 19,600 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Postal Service Mail Carrier?
Most Postal Service Mail Carrier roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Postal Service Mail Carrier?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Postal Service Mail Carrier career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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