Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Salary
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators earn a median $58,470 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
What postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators do
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.3% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 7,300
Employment of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators is projected to shrink 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,836
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,625
- Medicare (1.45%)$848
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,161
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,530 | $21.89 | $38,763 |
| 25th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 | $41,455 |
| Median (50th) | $58,470 | $28.11 | $49,161 |
| 75th percentile | $75,030 | $36.07 | $61,614 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,280 | $36.19 | $61,789 |
Best cities for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $56,390 | $47,489 | $46,066 | 3,850 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $57,430 | $46,562 | $45,402 | 2,870 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $58,300 | $46,283 | $44,677 | 4,920 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $57,430 | $48,325 | $42,333 | 2,400 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $59,490 | $47,365 | $42,078 | 9,010 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,490 | $47,588 | $41,903 | 4,700 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $50,770 | $40,962 | $40,938 | 2,750 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $59,490
- Los Angeles, CA — $59,490
- Chicago, IL — $58,300
- Philadelphia, PA — $57,430
- Miami, FL — $57,430
- Dallas, TX — $56,390
- Atlanta, GA — $50,770
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,750 | −1.6% | $52,896 | $43,660 – $76,460 | 400 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 | +3.4% | $51,651 | $48,880 – $75,280 | 210 |
| Iowa | $60,530 | +1.6% | $49,168 | $42,600 – $76,360 | 1,040 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 | +1.6% | $49,019 | $47,440 – $76,360 | 3,660 |
| Wyoming | $60,530 | +1.6% | $50,816 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $59,840 | +1.8% | $50,261 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $59,740 | +3.9% | $47,642 | $48,880 – $75,280 | 1,840 |
| California | $59,490 | +3.5% | $47,588 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 10,090 |
| Hawaii | $59,490 | +5.4% | $46,989 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 370 |
| Maine | $59,490 | +3.5% | $47,146 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 440 |
| Michigan | $59,490 | +3.5% | $47,703 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 3,370 |
| Nebraska | $59,490 | +1.7% | $48,153 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 640 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 | +3.5% | $48,366 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 600 |
| Vermont | $59,490 | +1.4% | $48,421 | $48,880 – $75,280 | 110 |
| Washington | $59,490 | +3.5% | $49,980 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 1,770 |
| Arkansas | $58,470 | +1.7% | $47,093 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 570 |
| Colorado | $58,470 | +3.4% | $47,296 | $45,530 – $76,360 | 1,910 |
| Connecticut | $58,470 | +1.7% | $47,454 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $58,470 | +1.7% | $46,592 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $58,470 | +5.5% | $47,793 | $42,600 – $75,250 | 1,200 |
| Maryland | $58,470 | +3.6% | $46,747 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 2,430 |
| Massachusetts | $58,470 | +3.4% | $46,457 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 2,910 |
| Nevada | $58,470 | +5.5% | $49,161 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 920 |
| New Mexico | $58,470 | +5.5% | $47,578 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 350 |
| New York | $58,470 | +1.7% | $46,600 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 8,290 |
| Ohio | $58,470 | +4.7% | $48,335 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 3,700 |
| Oklahoma | $58,470 | +1.7% | $47,075 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 790 |
| West Virginia | $58,470 | +1.7% | $47,264 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $58,470 | +1.7% | $47,369 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 1,420 |
| South Carolina | $58,390 | +4.0% | $46,750 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 1,280 |
| Illinois | $58,300 | +3.3% | $46,283 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 5,370 |
| New Hampshire | $58,300 | +3.3% | $49,024 | $47,440 – $76,360 | 690 |
| Virginia | $58,300 | +3.3% | $46,486 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 2,420 |
| Oregon | $57,890 | +4.5% | $44,459 | $47,440 – $75,280 | 1,090 |
| Mississippi | $57,800 | +4.3% | $47,042 | $45,530 – $75,030 | 350 |
| Alabama | $57,430 | +3.6% | $45,719 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 1,150 |
| Florida | $57,430 | +2.3% | $48,325 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 7,240 |
| Idaho | $57,430 | +1.6% | $46,389 | $42,600 – $75,030 | 250 |
| Kentucky | $57,430 | +0.5% | $46,433 | $42,600 – $75,030 | 950 |
| Missouri | $57,430 | +1.7% | $46,563 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 2,730 |
| Montana | $57,430 | −0.1% | $46,382 | $45,530 – $75,030 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,430 | +1.7% | $46,562 | $45,530 – $75,280 | 5,630 |
| Utah | $57,430 | +3.6% | $46,707 | $45,530 – $75,030 | 860 |
| Tennessee | $56,390 | +3.7% | $47,489 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 2,850 |
| Texas | $56,390 | −1.9% | $47,489 | $40,600 – $75,280 | 7,900 |
| Alaska | $55,350 | +3.7% | $46,654 | $42,600 – $75,030 | 230 |
| Arizona | $55,350 | −1.9% | $45,479 | $42,600 – $75,280 | 2,180 |
| North Carolina | $55,350 | +1.2% | $44,954 | $40,600 – $75,280 | 4,040 |
| Kansas | $54,540 | −8.4% | $43,759 | $39,560 – $75,280 | 870 |
| Georgia | $53,290 | −2.0% | $42,856 | $40,600 – $75,280 | 3,050 |
| Indiana | $48,880 | −11.8% | $40,043 | $39,560 – $75,030 | 2,600 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,550 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,130 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Cargo and Freight Agent | $52,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.2% |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $50,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $48,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.5% |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Courier and Messenger | $39,200 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make?
The national median salary for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators is $58,470 a year ($28.11 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,530 and the top 10% earn over $75,280. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $66,750. After taxes and local prices, Dallas, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators are there in the U.S.?
About 105,200 people work as postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators nationwide.