Career Exploration Guide

SOC: 43-5052

Postal Service Mail Carriers

Sort mail for delivery. Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot.

Education:		These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

OJT:		Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Tasks:		Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail; collect associated charges; and complete any necessary paperwork. Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence. Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking and/or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks. Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes. Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes. Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office. Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses. Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations. Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes. Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered. Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail. Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders. Maintain accurate records of deliveries. Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations. Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms. Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.

License:		License not required.

Outlook:		poor

Alabama Employment Outlook

Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage		Annual Wage
Entry	$17.79	Entry	$37,005.00
Mean	$24.92	Mean	$51,816.00
Experience	$28.47	Experience	$59,221.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections

Estimated Employment 2016	Projected Employment 2026	Annual Average Openings	Annual Growth Rate
5,170	4,670	280	-1.01

Related Occupations:

Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:

Bridge and Lock Tenders

Couriers and Messengers

Driver/Sales Workers

Meter Readers, Utilities

Nursery Workers

Parking Enforcement Workers

Pipelayers

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Pourers and Casters, Metal

Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

No postsecondary schools reported programs.

Occupational Videos

43-5052.00

Postal Service Mail Carriers