Postal Service Mail Carrier

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  Career Profile

Postal Service Mail Carrier

What they do

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Also Called: City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant (CCA), City Letter Carrier, City Mail Carrier, Letter Carrier, Mail Carrier, Rural Carrier, Rural Carrier Associate (RCA), Rural Mail Carrier, Rural Route Carrier, City Carrier, City Carrier Assistant (CCA), City Letter Carrier, City Mail Carrier, Letter Carrier, Mail Carrier, Rural Carrier, Rural Carrier Associate (RCA), Rural Mail Carrier, Rural Route Carrier

$41,480
Starting Salary (2023)
$56,330
Median Salary (2023)
-6.7%
Projected Job Growth
331,600
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Independence
Self-Control
Stress Tolerance

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Time Management
Coordination

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Common Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

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