Postal Service Clerk Salary 2025: $62,130 Median, How to Become One, and a -3.5% Job Outlook
What does a Postal Service Clerk make? The national median salary is $62,130 a year, according to 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That works out to roughly $30 an hour. The typical range runs from $42,600 (10th percentile) to $75,030 (90th percentile), so most clerks earn solidly middle-class wages with a clear ceiling.
How much Postal Service Clerks earn
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 73,720 Postal Service Clerks employed nationwide. The mean annual wage is $61,860. On an hourly basis, that's about $29.74. The bottom 10% earn $42,600, while the top 10% bring home $75,030. That range is narrower than many jobs, reflecting the unionized pay scale of the USPS.
Most clerks start at a lower step on the Postal Service (PS) schedule and gain raises with seniority. Overtime can boost earnings; the BLS mean hourly rate of $29.74 accounts for some overtime but not extreme hours.
Pay by state
Pay varies modestly by location. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $67,790, followed by New Jersey and North Carolina at $64,290 each, then California and Hawaii at $63,650 each. These states tend to have higher costs of living or strong union presence.
The lowest-paying states are South Dakota at $58,470, Alaska and North Dakota at $57,820 each. Even the lowest figure is still above $57,000, showing the field pays fairly consistently across the country.
How to become Postal Service Clerk
You don't need a college degree. Typical requirements: U.S. citizenship (or permanent residency with a green card), age 18 (or 16 with high school diploma), and passing a criminal background check and drug screening. You also must take the Postal Service exam (473 or its variants), which tests memory, address checking, and basic math.
Once hired, you go through paid on-the-job training that covers window services, mail sorting, and postal regulations. A driver's license is often required if the position includes delivery tasks, though most clerk roles are station-based. Experience in customer service or cash handling is helpful but not mandatory.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 (16 with diploma).
- Pass a background check, drug test, and the Postal Service entrance exam (473).
- Complete on-the-job training; no degree required.
Job outlook
Employment of Postal Service Clerks is projected to decline 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS. That's a loss of about 2,600 jobs over the decade. Yet the BLS still expects about 6,100 openings each year, mostly due to workers retiring or leaving the occupation.
The decline reflects USPS restructuring and automation of mail sorting; however, the need for customer-service clerks at post office windows remains steady. Competition for jobs will be strong, but the steady pay and federal benefits keep the role attractive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest salary for a Postal Service Clerk?
The top 10% earn $75,030 annually, and the highest average pay by state is in Washington, D.C., at $67,790.
Do Postal Service Clerks get good benefits?
Yes. As federal employees, they receive health insurance, life insurance, a retirement pension (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer match, paid sick leave, and vacation time.
How long does it take to become a Postal Service Clerk?
From application to hire can take several months, depending on testing and background checks. Once hired, training lasts a few weeks.
Is being a Postal Service Clerk hard?
The job is moderately demanding: you stand for long periods, handle cash, lift up to 70 pounds, and deal with impatient customers. Accuracy and speed are important.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Postal Service Clerks data.