Delivering mail is a vital service that connects communities across the United States. If you’re considering a career as a mail carrier or simply curious about the profession, understanding the salary expectations is essential. This guide provides a detailed overview of how much mailmen make, factors influencing their earnings, and geographic variations in pay.
National Average Salary for Mail Carriers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for postal service mail carriers in May 2023 was $59,340, with a mean hourly wage of $28.53. This data encompasses mail carriers employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and its contractors.
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $59,340 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $28.53 |
It’s important to note that these figures represent averages, and individual salaries can vary based on experience, location, and other factors.
Mail Carrier Salary Percentiles
To provide a more comprehensive picture of mail carrier earnings, let’s examine the percentile wage estimates:
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $19.94 | $41,480 |
| 25% | $22.13 | $46,030 |
| 50% (Median) | $27.08 | $56,330 |
| 75% | $36.20 | $75,300 |
| 90% | $36.50 | $75,920 |
These percentiles indicate that:
- 10% of mail carriers earn less than $19.94 per hour or $41,480 per year.
- 25% of mail carriers earn less than $22.13 per hour or $46,030 per year.
- The median (50%) mail carrier earns $27.08 per hour or $56,330 per year.
- 75% of mail carriers earn less than $36.20 per hour or $75,300 per year.
- 10% of mail carriers earn more than $36.50 per hour or $75,920 per year.
Factors Influencing Mail Carrier Salary
Several factors can influence a mail carrier’s salary, including:
- Experience: As with most professions, experience plays a significant role. Entry-level mail carriers typically earn less than those with several years of experience.
- Location: Geographic location has a substantial impact on salary. Areas with a higher cost of living often offer higher wages to compensate for the increased expenses.
- Industry: The vast majority of mail carriers are employed by the Postal Service (Federal Government).
- Union Membership: The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is the union representing city letter carriers. Union membership can affect salary and benefits.
- Overtime: Mail carriers may have opportunities to earn overtime pay, which can significantly increase their annual income.
- Route Type: The type of route a mail carrier is assigned to (e.g., urban, rural, walking, driving) can impact their workload and potentially their compensation.
Geographic Variations in Mail Carrier Salaries
Salaries for mail carriers vary significantly across different states and metropolitan areas. Here’s a look at some of the highest and lowest paying regions:
States with the Highest Employment Level in Postal Service Mail Carriers
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 32,800 | 1.83 | $29.24 | $60,820 |
| Texas | 26,890 | 1.98 | $28.16 | $58,570 |
| New York | 20,970 | 2.23 | $28.93 | $60,170 |
| Florida | 20,860 | 2.18 | $28.50 | $59,280 |
| Illinois | 14,990 | 2.49 | $28.84 | $59,980 |
States with the Highest Concentration of Jobs
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 3,370 | 2.93 | $27.50 | $57,210 |
| Alabama | 5,930 | 2.89 | $27.72 | $57,650 |
| Connecticut | 4,730 | 2.85 | $28.45 | $59,170 |
| Louisiana | 5,120 | 2.76 | $28.01 | $58,260 |
| Michigan | 11,940 | 2.75 | $28.27 | $58,810 |
Top Paying States
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 7,590 | 2.08 | $29.48 | $61,310 |
| Minnesota | 5,660 | 1.96 | $29.44 | $61,240 |
| California | 32,800 | 1.83 | $29.24 | $60,820 |
| New York | 20,970 | 2.23 | $28.93 | $60,170 |
| Arizona | 5,360 | 1.71 | $28.91 | $60,130 |
Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment Level
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 21,370 | 2.25 | $29.04 | $60,410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 11,320 | 1.83 | $29.42 | $61,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 10,700 | 2.37 | $29.06 | $60,450 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 7,220 | 1.82 | $28.62 | $59,520 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 6,870 | 2.16 | $28.13 | $58,510 |
Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Concentration of Jobs
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring, FL | 130 | 4.74 | $27.61 | $57,430 |
| Gadsden, AL | 140 | 4.39 | $27.64 | $57,490 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 220 | 4.30 | $28.54 | $59,360 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 170 | 4.15 | $27.53 | $57,260 |
| Danbury, CT | 320 | 4.12 | $28.35 | $58,960 |
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas
| Metropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 4,350 | 1.80 | $30.63 | $63,720 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,530 | 1.34 | $30.36 | $63,140 |
| Napa, CA | 140 | 1.74 | $30.26 | $62,940 |
| Bismarck, ND | 120 | 1.67 | $30.25 | $62,920 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 220 | 1.54 | $30.18 | $62,780 |
Nonmetropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas nonmetropolitan area | 1,310 | 3.36 | $27.11 | $56,400 |
| North Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | 1,050 | 3.76 | $27.26 | $56,690 |
| Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | 1,040 | 3.97 | $27.47 | $57,140 |
| North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | 1,010 | 3.11 | $28.19 | $58,640 |
| Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 850 | 3.31 | $27.72 | $57,660 |
Nonmetropolitan Areas with the Highest Concentration of Jobs
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | 620 | 5.83 | $27.05 | $56,260 |
| Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | 300 | 4.81 | $27.50 | $57,190 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 410 | 4.67 | $27.55 | $57,310 |
| Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | 340 | 4.42 | $27.55 | $57,300 |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | 710 | 4.36 | $27.76 | $57,740 |
Top Paying Nonmetropolitan Areas
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | 460 | 3.40 | $29.13 | $60,590 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | 530 | 2.78 | $28.85 | $60,010 |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | 440 | 2.81 | $28.72 | $59,750 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | 380 | 3.45 | $28.70 | $59,690 |
| Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | 520 | 2.46 | $28.67 | $59,640 |
Conclusion
The salary for a mail carrier can vary significantly based on several factors, including experience, location, and industry. While the national average annual wage is around $59,340, top earners in high-paying metropolitan areas like San Francisco can make upwards of $63,000 per year. Understanding these variations can help you make informed decisions about your career path and negotiate your salary effectively.
