Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

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. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

Also Known As:

Automation Clerk Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk) Distribution Clerk Flat Sorting Machine Clerk (FSM Clerk) Mail Handler Mail Handler Equipment Operator Mail Processing Clerk Mail Processor Parcel Post Distribution Machine Operator (PDPMO) Small Package and Bundle Sorter Clerk (SPBS Clerk)

Wages

National
Hourly

Annual wages for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in Connecticut

Job Outlook Below Average

New job opportunities are less likely in the future

Connecticut's 2034 Projected Employment

1,080

-4% Change From 2024

United States 2034 Projected Employment

97,500

-8% Change From 2024

Explore Postal Service Mail Carriers video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Subject areas you may need to master.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

Average Education Attained

Highest level of education earned by people in this career.

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