Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Office and Administrative Support
Sorting machines, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters are loaded and run so incoming and outgoing mail can be examined, sorted, and routed. Odd-sized pieces and items other workers could not sort are handled by hand, and pieces that need special treatment are set aside. Jams are cleared, and the machines are adjusted or repaired when needed. Records of shipments, pouches, and sacks are kept as mail moves through processing. It suits people who like repetitive, detail-heavy work around equipment and tracking what has been handled.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$58'470
Median Wage Market Position
$58'470
What you might do
- Run bar-code sorters and scanning machines
- Sort odd-sized mail by hand
- Separate items that need special handling
- Clear jams in the sorting equipment
- Load mail into processing and canceling machines
- Keep records of pouches and sacks
Skills that matter
- Operating scanners and bar-code sorters
- Jam clearing on sorting machines
- Hand-sorting odd-sized or unsorted mail
- Special-handling items pulled aside
- Address reading to route each piece
- Alerting the crew to machine problems
AI & the future of this role
Sorting, scanning, and machine operation are highly structured tasks that automation already handles well in large facilities. Oversight and exception handling still need people, but routine processing volume is likely to need fewer operators over time.
Does Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details