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Corporate Offices and Professional Services
Deloitte, Accenture, PwC
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
This job keeps an office's physical mail moving: sorting incoming items, preparing outgoing mail and parcels, checking postage and addresses, and running machines that seal, meter, or bundle pieces. The work is concrete and repetitive, which makes it easy to learn, but the tradeoff is that demand is slowly shrinking as workplaces rely less on paper mail and more on digital communication.
Also known as Mailroom ClerkMail ClerkMail Center ClerkMailroom SpecialistMail Processing Clerk
Median Salary
$38,150
Mean $40,200
U.S. Workforce
~63K
6.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-6.6%
67.4K to 62.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~63K workers, with a median annual pay of $38,150 and roughly 6.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 67.4 K in 2024 to 62.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Mailroom Assistant and can progress toward Office Services Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Mail Sorting Machines, Inserters & Conveyors, Postage Meters, Mail Scales & Label Printers, and Barcode Scanners & Parcel Tracking Software, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Monitoring, and Reading Comprehension.
Core Responsibilities
- Sort incoming letters and packages, then send them to the right person or department.
- Prepare outgoing mail by choosing the right delivery method, weighing items, and adding postage.
- Open or seal envelopes by hand or with mailroom machines.
- Check addresses, postage, and package condition so items are ready to go without delays.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Sort incoming letters and packages, then send them to the right person or department.
02 Prepare outgoing mail by choosing the right delivery method, weighing items, and adding postage.
03 Open or seal envelopes by hand or with mailroom machines.
04 Check addresses, postage, and package condition so items are ready to go without delays.
05 Receive mail and parcels from couriers, contractors, or large mailers, then move them to the correct work area.
06 Wrap bundles, move containers on carts, and keep the mailroom equipment running smoothly.
Industries That Hire
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Healthcare Systems
Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente
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Universities and School Systems
Harvard University, University of Michigan, Arizona State University
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Government and Public Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, State of California, City of Chicago
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Logistics and Delivery Hubs
FedEx, UPS, DHL
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can usually get started with a high school diploma and short on-the-job training, so the barrier to entry is low.
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The work is structured and predictable, which suits people who like clear routines and checklists.
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Annual openings are projected at 6.9K, so there should still be hiring even as overall employment declines.
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The job builds practical skills in sorting, shipping, equipment use, and office workflow that transfer to other support roles.
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It exists in many settings, including hospitals, schools, law firms, and corporate offices, so you are not tied to one industry.
Challenges
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Pay is modest: the median wage is $38,150 a year and the mean is $40,200, which leaves limited room for bigger earnings in the same role.
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Employment is projected to fall 6.6% from 2024 to 2034, so this is a shrinking field rather than a growth one.
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Automation and digital communication reduce the need for physical mail handling, which is a structural threat to long-term demand.
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The work can be repetitive and physically demanding because it often involves standing, lifting bundles, pushing carts, and handling machines all day.
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The career ceiling is fairly low unless you move into supervision or a different office-services track, because the job is narrowly focused on mail handling.
Career Progression
Mailroom Assistant
0-1 years
$30K-$34K
Starts with basic sorting, delivery runs, and simple packing tasks under close supervision.
Mail Clerk / Mail Machine Operator
1-4 years
$35K-$43K
Handles daily incoming and outgoing mail, checks postage and addresses, and runs the main mailroom equipment.
Mailroom Lead THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$44K-$52K
Keeps the mailroom on schedule, helps train new staff, and fixes problems with deliveries or machines.
Office Services Supervisor
7-12 years
$53K-$63K
Oversees mail, copying, and supply workflows for a larger office, campus, or hospital system.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS lists this as the typical entry point, and most employers teach the rest through short-term on-the-job training.
Associate's degree in office administration or a related field
This is an alternative route; O*NET shows an associate's degree or other 2-year degree for 6.17% of workers in the role.
Short-term certificate in office operations, shipping, or records handling
A certificate can help you learn postage, sorting, and mailroom software basics before you apply, especially if you do not have direct experience.
Key Skills
Technical
Mail Sorting Machines, Inserters & Conveyors 66%
Postage Meters, Mail Scales & Label Printers 64%
Barcode Scanners & Parcel Tracking Software 62%
Microsoft Outlook, Excel & Shared Mail Logs 58%
Carts, Dollies & Bundle-Tying Equipment 54%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingMonitoringReading ComprehensionTime ManagementCoordinationJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+-6.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
6.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 67.4K to 62.9 K over the next decade, representing -6.6% growth. Around 6.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.