Federal Government Jobs
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Post Office Jobs
USPS Careers, USPS Jobs, & Exam Information
Post Office Jobs | USPS Careers | Mail Handlers
The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) employs over 653,167 workers in 300 job categories for positions at 34,223 post offices, branches, stations, and community post offices throughout the United States. Thousands of U.S. post office jobs are available each year to backfill for retirements, transfers, deaths and employees who choose to leave the Postal Service. The Postal Service also hires many temporary workers during peak mail periods. Overall, there are a variety of USPS jobs and careers available.
There are USPS jobs available for traditional mail carriers and clerk positions plus administrative, clerical, and office services at central facilities. There are also technical and professional occupations available, and you will find links to job vacancy listings for all occupations on this site
Mail Sorting Facility
Post Office job vacancies are advertised internally by the United States Postal Service and not by the Office of Personnel Management. In 1971, the US Postal Service became independent. Pay scales are determined by the Postal Pay Act and are not a part of the General Pay Schedule. The average salary is $52,290, career bargaining unit employee’s total average compensation including benefits exceeds $83,000. Post office careers are generally secure, and very rewarding.
Post Office Jobs Menu
- Introduction – USPS Jobs Information
- Benefits
- Employment Options – Part time / full time / casual
- Post Office Job Qualification Requirements
- Postal Clerks & Mail Carriers
- 474, 475, 476, and 477 Postal Exams – Application procedures
- Post Office Jobs Web Site Guide – Guide for finding & applying for job vacancies
- Post Office Job Listings
- Postal Service job lists – All areas and occupations
- Comparable private sector job lists – All areas and occupations
- Corporate Jobs – Non tested admin, technical, engineering, etc.
- Job Hunter’s Checklist
- Career Exploration, Articles by Nancy Ledgerwood
- Working for the United States Postal Service – A Personal Perspective
- Electronic Technician Jobs with the U.S. Postal Service
#Introduction
Introduction (Continued)
The Postal Service has lost revenue during the past few years however the good news is that the economy is recovering and revenues should increase as business returns to normal. Almost half of the work force will be eligible for retirement over the next decade opening up many opportunities for those seeking employment. Tens of thousands apply each year for post office jobs and those who understand the hiring process and study for entrance exams — when required — will dramatically improve their chances of landing a career with the USPS. The Postal Service never charges fees to take an exam or to apply for jobs. Don’t be misled by ads that offer postal employment and charge a fee for their services.
The US Postal Service is huge by any standard, employing close to 653,000 workers with annual revenues of $77 billion. It pays over $2 billion in salaries and benefits every two weeks to workers. Thousands of post office jobs are filled annually for temporary casual positions, to backfill for retirements, transfers, deaths and to replace employees who choose to leave for other reasons.
Special pay scales are used for rural letter carriers, city carriers, mail handlers and others. Starting pay in 2021 for city carrier assistants was $18.92 per hour, $39,3536 per year. Part Time Flexible (PTF) sales and services/distribution associates earn $17.88 per hour, mail handler assistants $17.32 per hour. Tractor trailer operator’s salary ranges from $31.33 per hour while automotive mechanics start at $59,697 annually. Mail processing, clerk, and delivery workers are initially hired as supplemental workers with temporary appointments and typically work 40 or more hours per week.
The Postal Service also pays extra compensation, overtime, and night shift differential to post office job holders. A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is added to the base salary of employees at the rate of one cent per hour for each .4 point increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Post Office Job Benefits
Post office job employee benefits are similar to federal employees’ benefits which are featured on this site. There are a few differences. Postal workers do pay considerably less for health care benefits than do general schedule federal employees due to negotiated union contracts. US Postal workers can contribute to a 401K Thrift Savings Plan, purchase low-cost life insurance and they receive generous holiday, vacation and sick leave allowances.
Employment Options
Initial appointments are either casual (temporary) or Part-Time Flexible (Career). Hourly rates for Part-Time Flexible employees vary depending upon the position’s rate schedule. Some US Postal careers are filled full-time such as the Maintenance (Custodial) classification.
Full-Time and Part-Time Flexible (career) post office job holders comprise the Regular Work Force. This category includes security guards. Part-Time Flexible employees are scheduled to work fewer than 40 hours per week and they must be available for flexible work hours as assigned. Part-Time Flexible (PS) employees are paid by the hour. Hourly rates vary from $15.30 for PS Grade 3 Step JJ to $35.87 for PS Grade 11 step P.
A Supplemental Work Force is needed by the Postal Service for peak mail periods and offers casual post office jobs for a 360 day appointment or a 21 day appointment during the holiday season.
College students may be considered for casual (temporary) US Postal jobs during the summer months. The rate of pay now exceeds $12.00 per hour. Tests are not required, and appointments cannot lead to a career position. Apply early for summer work. Contact offices in your area by no later than February for summer post office job applications. Casual temporary positions are also advertised on the Postal Services’ employment web site. You can find information on USPS job qualifications and requirements here. You can also view information on USPS postal exams.
Warning – Job Scam Alert
Don’t be enticed by Postal Exam scams. YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY ANYONE to schedule or take a federal Postal Exam. To find out if exams are currently being offered in your area go to our “Postal Exams” page and follow the links to the Postal Services’ exam site. You apply online through the Postal Service to take a postal exam for job vacancies in your area.
Also, explore and apply for all job vacancies in the government and private sectors to improve you chance of securing employment.