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.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-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.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Postal service clerks handle front-line services for postal customers, combining customer interaction with structured, process-driven work. National employment stands at 74,000, indicating a sizable workforce in this occupation. The national median annual salary of $61,630 reflects the earning potential available to experienced workers in these roles. While projected employment growth is -3.5%, there are still 6,000 annual openings, which suggests ongoing turnover and replacement needs. This career uses a mix of customer service, basic mathematics, physical stamina, and reading and writing skills, along with comfort using computers and information technology. People considering this path can also look at related roles such as retail salespersons, counter and rental clerks, driver/sales workers, pharmacy aides, or gambling and sports book writers and runners as alternative options in customer-facing or service environments. Overall, postal service clerks offer a structured, skill-based path for individuals who want a customer-focused role.
Postal service clerks earn a national median annual salary of $61,630, indicating solid earning potential within this occupation. Pay varies somewhat by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $60,530 in Colorado to $63,650 in California. Massachusetts, New York, and Washington all cluster close to the national median, between about $61,570 and $62,690. In the top metro areas, pay can be slightly higher. For example, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV both show median salaries of $64,630, above their states’ medians, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ shows $63,650. These figures illustrate how choosing a particular metro or state can influence earnings, even within the same occupation. Overall, salary levels appear relatively consistent across high-opportunity locations, with some metros offering a modest pay premium.
Postal service clerks currently account for 74,000 jobs nationwide. The projected employment growth rate is -3.5%, signaling a decline in overall employment levels in the coming years. Despite this negative growth, there are still 6,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while the total number of positions may decrease, there is ongoing demand to replace workers who leave or retire. Individuals considering this career should recognize that opportunities may be more about replacement than expansion. Because the projected growth rate of -3.5% is consistent across the highlighted states and metros, location decisions are less about future growth differences and more about current employment levels, salary, and opportunity scores. For many job seekers, this occupation may appeal if they value stable, structured work and are comfortable entering a field where overall job numbers are slowly declining but regular openings still appear.
Location plays a meaningful role in the opportunity landscape for postal service clerks. Among states, California ranks highest by opportunity score (67.38), with 6,410 employed clerks and a median salary of $63,650. Massachusetts and New York follow closely, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries just above $62,000. Colorado and Washington also provide notable opportunities, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries around $60,530–$61,570. At the metro level, several areas stand out even more. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have opportunity scores above 77, the highest listed. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV show higher median salaries of $64,630, combined with strong opportunity scores above 64. These differences suggest that certain metros within high-scoring states can offer a combination of higher pay and stronger overall opportunity metrics for this occupation.
The typical education requirement for postal service clerks is “no formal educational credential.” This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who may not have completed traditional postsecondary education. However, succeeding in this role still depends on a well-defined set of skills. Customer service is central, supported by strong interpersonal, speaking, and listening abilities to interact effectively with the public. Mathematics skills are important for handling transactions, while writing and reading skills help manage records and information. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor skills, support the more hands-on aspects of the work. Adaptability and mechanical skills contribute to dealing with changing tasks and equipment, and comfort with computers and information technology is also valuable. Together, these skills define a career path where demonstrated abilities and work readiness can matter more than formal schooling for entry and advancement.
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