Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

SOC Code: 43-5053 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed

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.

Advertisement

Prevailing Wage Levels (National)

DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.

$45,386/yr ($21.82/hr)Level I (Entry)
$52,187/yr ($25.09/hr)Level II (Qualified)
$59,010/yr ($28.37/hr)Level III (Experienced)
$65,811/yr ($31.64/hr)Level IV (Expert)

FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact

LevelLottery EntriesEst. Selection Rate
Level I (Entry)1 entry~16%
Level II (Qualified)2 entries~31%
Level III (Experienced)3 entries~45%
Level IV (Expert)4 entries~61%

Prevailing Wages by Metro Area

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Wausau, WI$58,656$64,106$69,555$75,005
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area$55,245$61,339$67,413$73,507
Erie, PA$51,251$58,323$65,374$72,446
Wichita, KS$47,549$55,203$62,858$70,512
Salem, OR$46,987$54,746$62,525$70,283
Duluth, MN-WI$46,946$54,725$62,504$70,283
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$47,986$55,411$62,858$70,283
New Haven, CT$43,285$52,208$61,131$70,054
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$47,632$55,016$62,400$69,784
Modesto, CA$47,674$55,037$62,400$69,763

Key Skills

SkillImportanceLevel
Monitoring3.1
Speaking3.0
Coordination3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Reading Comprehension3.0
Operations Monitoring2.9
Time Management2.9
Judgment and Decision Making2.9
Active Listening2.9
Operation and Control2.8

Knowledge Areas

KnowledgeImportance
English Language3.0
Production and Processing2.5
Customer and Personal Service2.4
Administrative2.2
Administration and Management2.2
Transportation2.1
Public Safety and Security2.1
Computers and Electronics1.9

Education Requirements

Education Level% of Workers
High school diploma81.4%
Less than high school12.5%
Post-secondary certificate6.1%

Typical Tasks

Technology Skills

Green = Hot Technology in demand

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word SAP software Teradata Database Address Management System AMS Automated Package Processing System APPS Barcode reader software Delivery Routing System DRS Delivery operations information system DOIS Directory software Electronic Time Clock ETC Multi-line optical character reader OCR software

Calculate your wage level for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators →

Advertisement

H-1B Guides & Resources

Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?

Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.