Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Postmasters and mail superintendents oversee postal operations and play a central role in keeping mail services organized and running smoothly. Nationally, this is a relatively small occupation with 13,000 workers, which can appeal to people who prefer a focused, supervisory environment. The national median annual salary of $92,730 reflects the responsibility involved in leading staff, managing processes, and handling customer issues. Typical entry into this career is based on a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with a strong mix of leadership, project management, and customer service skills. While projected employment growth is -3.5%, there are still about 1,000 annual openings, indicating continued movement into and out of these roles. For individuals interested in leadership positions within structured service organizations, this career can be a solid option. Those exploring related paths may also want to look at occupations such as administrative services managers or first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers.
Postmasters and mail superintendents earn a national median annual salary of $92,730, placing this role in a relatively high-paying range for positions accessible with a high school diploma or equivalent. Earnings vary by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. Among states, California stands out at $101,150, while New York and Massachusetts are also above the national median at $97,640 and $96,870 respectively. At the metro level, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim shows the highest listed median salary of $113,430, and multiple other metros, including New York-Newark-Jersey City and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, report median salaries of $101,150 or more. These differences highlight the importance of geographic choice in potential earnings. Overall, the salary profile suggests that experienced professionals who can demonstrate strong leadership, problem solving, and customer service skills may find attractive compensation, particularly in select states and large metro areas.
This occupation is relatively small, with 13,000 postmasters and mail superintendents nationwide. Projected employment growth is -3.5%, indicating an expected decline in the total number of positions over time. However, the occupation still shows about 1,000 annual openings, which can come from retirements, career changes, and other turnover. This combination means that while new positions may be limited, opportunities will continue to arise for candidates prepared to step into existing roles. The consistent -3.5% growth figure across highlighted states and metro areas suggests a broadly similar outlook in different regions. For job seekers, this points to a competitive environment where strong skills in leadership, project management, problem solving, and customer service can help when positions become available. Individuals considering this career may want to also explore related supervisory or management roles, such as administrative services managers or first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers, to broaden their options.
Location can make a meaningful difference for postmasters and mail superintendents, both in pay and in the number of positions available. Among states, California offers a median salary of $101,150 and the largest listed employment at 800, paired with the highest state-level opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts have similar employment levels (830 and 330) and median salaries of $97,640 and $96,870, with opportunity scores just above 65. Colorado and Washington show more moderate employment counts of 200 and 280 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with median salaries around the low-to-mid $90,000s. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $101,150, and employment of 550. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim combines the highest listed metro median salary of $113,430 with 120 jobs. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton all offer strong salaries around or above $97,000 alongside solid opportunity scores.
The typical education for postmasters and mail superintendents is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes it a leadership-oriented role that does not require a college degree, but does demand a strong skill set. Key skills include leadership and project management, which support overseeing operations and coordinating activities. Customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal skills are also central, reflecting ongoing interaction with the public and with staff. The occupation benefits from comfort with computers and information technology, as well as solid mathematics abilities, which can support tasks involving numbers and operational data. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, help in handling daily challenges and making sound judgments. People who already have experience in structured work environments and want to move into supervisory roles may find this skill profile aligns well with their background. Those interested in broader management paths might also consider related careers such as general and operations managers or administrative services managers.
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