National Salary Overview
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Median Salary
$56,434
Average (Mean)
$58,947
Employed Nationwide
331,660
VS
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Median Salary
$54,300
Average (Mean)
$56,233
Employed Nationwide
116,550
Postal Service Mail Carriers earns $2,134 more (3.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$56,434
$54,300
Average (Mean) Salary
$58,947
$56,233
Total Employment
331,660
116,550
States with Higher Pay
44
7
Salary by State: Postal Service Mail Carriers vs Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Postal Service Mail Carriers pays more in 44 states; Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pays more in 7.
| State | Postal Service Mail Carriers | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $54,270 | $53,440 | +$830 | ||
| Alaska | $52,210 | $51,400 | +$810 | ||
| Arizona | $58,390 | $53,440 | +$4,950 | ||
| Arkansas | $55,920 | $54,450 | +$1,470 | ||
| California | $60,440 | $54,790 | +$5,650 | ||
| Colorado | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,330 | $56,510 | $-180 | ||
| Delaware | $54,270 | $53,440 | +$830 | ||
| District of Columbia | $59,000 | $70,740 | $-11,740 | ||
| Florida | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Georgia | $54,270 | $53,440 | +$830 | ||
| Hawaii | $54,270 | $53,440 | +$830 | ||
| Idaho | $55,330 | $57,530 | $-2,200 | ||
| Illinois | $58,390 | $53,440 | +$4,950 | ||
| Indiana | $57,550 | $53,440 | +$4,110 | ||
| Iowa | $56,330 | $55,470 | +$860 | ||
| Kansas | $56,330 | $54,790 | +$1,540 | ||
| Kentucky | $55,390 | $54,450 | +$940 | ||
| Louisiana | $55,390 | $53,440 | +$1,950 | ||
| Maine | $56,330 | $54,450 | +$1,880 | ||
| Maryland | $58,390 | $54,450 | +$3,940 | ||
| Massachusetts | $60,440 | $54,450 | +$5,990 | ||
| Michigan | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Minnesota | $60,440 | $53,440 | +$7,000 | ||
| Mississippi | $52,620 | $53,020 | $-400 | ||
| Missouri | $57,490 | $53,440 | +$4,050 | ||
| Montana | $55,740 | $53,440 | +$2,300 | ||
| Nebraska | $58,160 | $54,790 | +$3,370 | ||
| Nevada | $58,390 | $53,440 | +$4,950 | ||
| New Hampshire | $57,490 | $52,420 | +$5,070 | ||
| New Jersey | $56,330 | $56,510 | $-180 | ||
| New Mexico | $55,360 | $52,420 | +$2,940 | ||
| New York | $58,390 | $54,450 | +$3,940 | ||
| North Carolina | $56,330 | $53,020 | +$3,310 | ||
| North Dakota | $56,830 | $54,620 | +$2,210 | ||
| Ohio | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Oklahoma | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Oregon | $55,390 | $53,440 | +$1,950 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Rhode Island | $57,550 | $53,440 | +$4,110 | ||
| South Carolina | $54,270 | $52,420 | +$1,850 | ||
| South Dakota | $56,830 | $55,470 | +$1,360 | ||
| Tennessee | $56,100 | $52,420 | +$3,680 | ||
| Texas | $56,330 | $54,450 | +$1,880 | ||
| Utah | $57,490 | $53,440 | +$4,050 | ||
| Vermont | $55,740 | $56,630 | $-890 | ||
| Virginia | $56,330 | $53,440 | +$2,890 | ||
| Washington | $57,640 | $54,450 | +$3,190 | ||
| West Virginia | $54,270 | $53,440 | +$830 | ||
| Wisconsin | $57,240 | $54,150 | +$3,090 | ||
| Wyoming | $52,210 | $55,470 | $-3,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Postal Service Mail Carriers or Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators?
On average across all states, a Postal Service Mail Carriers earns more than a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators. The national median salary difference is $2,134 (3.9%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Postal Service Mail Carriers earn more than a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators?
A Postal Service Mail Carriers earns a higher median salary than a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in 44 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pays more in 7 states.
What is the median salary for a Postal Service Mail Carriers vs Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators?
The national median salary for a Postal Service Mail Carriers is $56,434 per year, compared to $54,300 for a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Postal Service Mail Carriers or Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators?
There are more people employed as Postal Service Mail Carriers. BLS reports approximately 331,660 Postal Service Mail Carriers positions and 116,550 Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Postal Service Mail Carriers or Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators?
Both Postal Service Mail Carriers and Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.