Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service earn a median salary of $38,150 per year, ranking in the top 89% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -6.6% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service earn?

The median annual wage for mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service is $38,150. That puts mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service at #721 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service is -6.6%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 67K positions in 2024 to 62K in 2034, a net change of -5K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
2. 2.Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
3. 3.Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
4. 4.Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
5. 5.Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
6. 6.Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
7. 7.Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
8. 8.Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.

Top skills for mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service?

Many mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $74,260 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $66,140 median
• Brokerage Clerks
  $62,940 median
• Postal Service Clerks
  $61,630 median
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  $57,770 median
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
  $57,490 median

Common questions parents ask about mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service