How much does a postal service mail sorter make?
The median postal service mail sorter in the United States earns $58,470 per year, about $28.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all postal service mail sorters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-5053.
Postal service mail sorter salary range
Pay for postal service mail sorters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,530 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,280. The average (mean) wage of $59,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,530 | $21.89 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,470 | $28.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,030 | $36.07 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,280 | $36.19 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators (SOC 43-5053), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Postal service mail sorter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Postal service mail sorters earn the most in District of Columbia at $66,750 a year, and the least in Indiana at $48,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,750 | 400 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 | 210 |
| Iowa | $60,530 | 1,040 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 | 3,660 |
| Wyoming | $60,530 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $59,840 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $59,740 | 1,840 |
| California | $59,490 | 10,090 |
| Hawaii | $59,490 | 370 |
| Maine | $59,490 | 440 |
| Michigan | $59,490 | 3,370 |
| Nebraska | $59,490 | 640 |
| Rhode Island | $59,490 | 600 |
| Vermont | $59,490 | 110 |
| Washington | $59,490 | 1,770 |
| Arkansas | $58,470 | 570 |
| Colorado | $58,470 | 1,910 |
| Connecticut | $58,470 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $58,470 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $58,470 | 1,200 |
| Maryland | $58,470 | 2,430 |
| Massachusetts | $58,470 | 2,910 |
| Nevada | $58,470 | 920 |
| New Mexico | $58,470 | 350 |
| New York | $58,470 | 8,290 |
| Ohio | $58,470 | 3,700 |
| Oklahoma | $58,470 | 790 |
| West Virginia | $58,470 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $58,470 | 1,420 |
| South Carolina | $58,390 | 1,280 |
| Illinois | $58,300 | 5,370 |
| New Hampshire | $58,300 | 690 |
| Virginia | $58,300 | 2,420 |
| Oregon | $57,890 | 1,090 |
| Mississippi | $57,800 | 350 |
| Alabama | $57,430 | 1,150 |
| Florida | $57,430 | 7,240 |
| Idaho | $57,430 | 250 |
| Kentucky | $57,430 | 950 |
| Missouri | $57,430 | 2,730 |
| Montana | $57,430 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,430 | 5,630 |
| Utah | $57,430 | 860 |
| Tennessee | $56,390 | 2,850 |
| Texas | $56,390 | 7,900 |
| Alaska | $55,350 | 230 |
| Arizona | $55,350 | 2,180 |
| North Carolina | $55,350 | 4,040 |
| Kansas | $54,540 | 870 |
| Georgia | $53,290 | 3,050 |
| Indiana | $48,880 | 2,600 |
State median wages for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators (SOC 43-5053), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for postal service mail sorters
The BLS projects employment of postal service mail sorters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 101,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 95,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,300 openings a year for postal service mail sorters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a postal service mail sorter
The typical entry-level education for postal service mail sorters is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a postal service mail sorter earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $66,750) and the lowest (Indiana, $48,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 105,200 people work as postal service mail sorters in the United States. At $58,470 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Postal service mail sorter salary FAQ
How much does a postal service mail sorter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a postal service mail sorter is $28.11. The middle half of postal service mail sorters earn between $23.50 and $36.07 per hour.
What is the highest postal service mail sorter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of postal service mail sorters earn more than $75,280 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a postal service mail sorter make a year?
The median annual salary for a postal service mail sorter is $58,470. The average (mean) wage of $59,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a postal service mail sorter a well paid job?
At $58,470 a year, a postal service mail sorter earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 105,200 people work as postal service mail sorters in the United States.
Which state pays postal service mail sorters the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for postal service mail sorters at $66,750 a year. South Dakota ($61,570) and Iowa ($60,530) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a postal service mail sorter a good career?
Employment of postal service mail sorters is projected to shrink 5.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a postal service mail sorter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for postal service mail sorters as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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