Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

What do they do?

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:

Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Distribution Clerk, Flat Sorter Operator, Flat Sorting Machine Clerk (FSM Clerk), General Expeditor, 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)

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators is projected to Decline 14 percent from 2020 to 2030

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • -14.1%

    Change

    Ranks #58 in job growth rate
    240

    Job Openings

    Ranks #12 in net job growth

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (<1%)
  • Master's degree  (3%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (14%)
  • Associate's degree  (11%)
  • Some college, no degree  (35%)
  • High school diploma equivalent  (32%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (6%)

People in this career often have talent in:

  • 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.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Route mail to correct destinations.
  • Verify shipping documentation.
  • Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
  • Package objects for shipping.
  • Operate computers or computerized equipment.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
  • Load materials or equipment.
  • Unload 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.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.1 Database 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

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

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