Mail Carrier Job Description
Employment prospects for mail carriers are generally expected to stay the same, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due to increasingly efficient sorting technology and the growing trend of placing cluster mailboxes in a central area.
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Training
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Training for mail carriers is typically provided on the job by experienced mail carriers. Some post offices also provide defensive driving and work safety courses.
Exam
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All prospective mail carriers must take the postal service examination. Applicants may not be hired for one to two years after passing the examination.
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Duties
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Mail carriers arrange mail in order of delivery, with work days starting as early as four in the morning. Once the mail is sorted, carriers travel either on foot or in mail delivery vehicles to deliver and pick up mail along a prescribed route. They may also collect any postage owed or cash on delivery payments.
Work Environment
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Mail carriers spend most of their time either outdoors or driving delivery vehicles. Mail carriers may be subject to extreme weather as part of their duties.
Earnings
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The average annual salary for mail carriers was $44,350 in 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mail carriers may also be reimbursed for mileage accrued during work in their personal vehicles.
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