Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

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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.

Sample of reported job titles: Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Distribution Clerk, Flat Sorting Machine Clerk (FSM Clerk), Mail Handler, Mail Handler Equipment Operator, Mail Processing Clerk, Mail Processor, Parcel Post Distribution Machine Operator (PDPMO), Small Package and Bundle Sorter Clerk (SPBS Clerk)

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Tasks

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Clear jams in sorting equipment.
Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
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.
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.
Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated “trains”.
Open and label mail containers.
Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
Train new workers.
Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting.
Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
Weigh articles to determine required postage.
Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.

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Technology Skills

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Bar coding software — Barcode reader software
Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Microsoft SharePoint
Data base management system software — Teradata Database
Data base user interface and query software — Address Management System AMS; Directory software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Delivery operations information system DOIS; SAP software
Human resources software — Time and Attendance Collection System TACS
Inventory management software — Automated Package Processing System APPS
Map creation software — Delivery Routing System DRS
Office suite software — Microsoft Office
Optical character reader OCR or scanning software — Multi-line optical character reader OCR software
Point of sale POS software — NCR Advanced Store
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software — Electronic Time Clock ETC
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

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Knowledge

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English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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Skills

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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without “giving out” or fatiguing.

Work Activities

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Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Detailed Work Activities

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Route mail to correct destinations.
Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
Verify shipping documentation.
Package objects for shipping.
Operate computers or computerized equipment.
Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
Unload materials or equipment.
Load materials or equipment.
Sort mail.
Distribute incoming mail.
Train personnel.
Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
Weigh parcels to determine shipping costs.
Prepare outgoing mail.
Receive shipments.

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Work Context

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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 100% responded “Every day.”
Time Pressure — 88% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 66% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 80% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 84% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Standing — 49% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 74% responded “Every day.”
Exposed to Contaminants — 65% responded “Every day.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 43% responded “Extremely important.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 48% responded “Extremely important.”
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment — 56% responded “Extremely important.”
Contact With Others — 42% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Spend Time Walking and Running — 35% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Degree of Automation — 51% responded “Highly automated.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 42% responded “Extremely important.”
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 44% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Duration of Typical Work Week — 59% responded “40 hours.”
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 58% responded “Every day.”
Physical Proximity — 29% responded “Moderately close (at arm’s length).”
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 35% responded “Every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 46% responded “Every day.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 33% responded “Very little freedom.”
Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety — 43% responded “Limited responsibility.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 33% responded “Some freedom.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 26% responded “Important results.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 26% responded “Important.”

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
81	High school diploma or equivalent
12	Less than high school diploma
6	Some college, no degree

Credentials

Interests

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Interest code: CR Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Styles

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Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values

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Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Related Occupations

All 10 displayed

39-3021.00	Motion Picture Projectionists
41-2012.00	Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers
43-5051.00	Postal Service Clerks
43-5111.00	Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
43-9051.00	Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
51-2021.00	Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
51-5113.00	Print Binding and Finishing Workers
51-6011.00	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers Bright Outlook
51-6041.00	Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
51-6063.00	Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2020)	$25.55 hourly, $53,140 annual
State wages
Local wages	ZIP Code:

Employment (2020)	100,400 employees
Projected growth (2020-2030)	Decline (-1% or lower)
Projected job openings (2020-2030)	7,000
State trends

Top industries (2020)	Government

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data external site and 2020-2030 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

Sources of Additional Information

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Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
National Association of Letter Carriers
National Postal Mail Handlers Union
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postal service workers
United Postmasters and Managers of America

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