Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators Make?
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $38,150 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $29,460 at the 10th percentile to $52,150 at the 90th percentile — a range of $22,690. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,230.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,460 |
| 25th percentile | $34,440 |
| Median (50th) | $38,150 |
| 75th percentile | $44,940 |
| 90th percentile | $52,150 |
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $48,230 |
| Massachusetts | $46,160 |
| Hawaii | $44,700 |
| Washington | $44,260 |
| Vermont | $43,440 |
| Colorado | $43,160 |
| California | $42,860 |
| Minnesota | $42,650 |
| Rhode Island | $42,390 |
| Connecticut | $42,370 |
| New York | $41,530 |
| Oregon | $41,410 |
| Utah | $41,170 |
| Idaho | $40,890 |
| New Jersey | $40,570 |
| New Hampshire | $40,130 |
| Maine | $40,100 |
| Maryland | $39,460 |
| Nebraska | $39,150 |
| Alaska | $39,100 |
| Nevada | $38,800 |
| New Mexico | $38,770 |
| Indiana | $38,750 |
| Missouri | $38,170 |
| Ohio | $37,960 |
| Georgia | $37,930 |
| Florida | $37,800 |
| Montana | $37,570 |
| North Dakota | $37,220 |
| Texas | $37,010 |
| Iowa | $36,980 |
| South Dakota | $36,980 |
| Illinois | $36,940 |
| Arkansas | $36,840 |
| Wisconsin | $36,500 |
| North Carolina | $36,340 |
| Oklahoma | $36,190 |
| Delaware | $35,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,760 |
| Alabama | $35,700 |
| Kentucky | $35,590 |
| Arizona | $35,560 |
| Michigan | $35,340 |
| Kansas | $35,060 |
| Tennessee | $34,580 |
| Virginia | $34,260 |
| South Carolina | $33,140 |
| Wyoming | $32,650 |
| West Virginia | $32,380 |
| Mississippi | $31,200 |
| Louisiana | $27,300 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$29,460 – $34,440 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,150 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$44,940 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $52,150+ |
How to Earn More as a Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $55,970 — $17,820 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($44,940) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operatorthis career | $38,150 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendent | $92,730 |
| Cashier | $31,190 |
| Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | $38,370 |
| File Clerk | $41,270 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 43-9051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.