National
| Median wages (2008) |
$12.07 hourly, $25,100 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
152,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Decline rapidly (-10% or lower)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
40,000 additional employees |
43-9051.00 - Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Use hand or mail handling machines to time stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
Sample of reported job titles:
Mail Clerk, Mail Machine Operator, Mail Sorter, Inserter Operator, Insert Operator, Mail Reader, Mailroom Supervisor
Tasks
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
- Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
- Clear jams in sortation equipment.
- Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
- Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
- Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
- Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
- Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
