National Salary Overview
Postal Service Mail Carriers
Median Salary
$60,096
Average (Mean)
$62,117
Employed Nationwide
328,850
VS
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Median Salary
$58,195
Average (Mean)
$59,635
Employed Nationwide
105,230
Postal Service Mail Carriers earns $1,901 more (3.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,096
$58,195
Average (Mean) Salary
$62,117
$59,635
Total Employment
328,850
105,230
States with Higher Pay
41
10
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 41 states; Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pays more in 10.
| State | Postal Service Mail Carriers | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,700 | $57,430 | +$270 | ||
| Alaska | $59,880 | $55,350 | +$4,530 | ||
| Arizona | $62,390 | $55,350 | +$7,040 | ||
| Arkansas | $59,700 | $58,470 | +$1,230 | ||
| California | $62,090 | $59,490 | +$2,600 | ||
| Colorado | $59,880 | $58,470 | +$1,410 | ||
| Connecticut | $61,130 | $58,470 | +$2,660 | ||
| Delaware | $59,880 | $58,470 | +$1,410 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,250 | $66,750 | $-2,500 | ||
| Florida | $61,130 | $57,430 | +$3,700 | ||
| Georgia | $57,700 | $53,290 | +$4,410 | ||
| Hawaii | $59,880 | $59,490 | +$390 | ||
| Idaho | $57,820 | $57,430 | +$390 | ||
| Illinois | $62,070 | $58,300 | +$3,770 | ||
| Indiana | $59,880 | $48,880 | +$11,000 | ||
| Iowa | $59,880 | $60,530 | $-650 | ||
| Kansas | $58,540 | $54,540 | +$4,000 | ||
| Kentucky | $58,910 | $57,430 | +$1,480 | ||
| Louisiana | $58,910 | $58,470 | +$440 | ||
| Maine | $59,010 | $59,490 | $-480 | ||
| Maryland | $62,070 | $58,470 | +$3,600 | ||
| Massachusetts | $62,070 | $58,470 | +$3,600 | ||
| Michigan | $59,880 | $59,490 | +$390 | ||
| Minnesota | $59,990 | $59,740 | +$250 | ||
| Mississippi | $57,470 | $57,800 | $-330 | ||
| Missouri | $59,880 | $57,430 | +$2,450 | ||
| Montana | $59,010 | $57,430 | +$1,580 | ||
| Nebraska | $59,880 | $59,490 | +$390 | ||
| Nevada | $62,070 | $58,470 | +$3,600 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,990 | $58,300 | +$1,690 | ||
| New Jersey | $61,130 | $60,530 | +$600 | ||
| New Mexico | $59,880 | $58,470 | +$1,410 | ||
| New York | $62,070 | $58,470 | +$3,600 | ||
| North Carolina | $59,990 | $55,350 | +$4,640 | ||
| North Dakota | $59,010 | $59,840 | $-830 | ||
| Ohio | $61,130 | $58,470 | +$2,660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $59,880 | $58,470 | +$1,410 | ||
| Oregon | $59,400 | $57,890 | +$1,510 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $59,880 | $57,430 | +$2,450 | ||
| Rhode Island | $63,610 | $59,490 | +$4,120 | ||
| South Carolina | $57,700 | $58,390 | $-690 | ||
| South Dakota | $60,760 | $61,570 | $-810 | ||
| Tennessee | $58,570 | $56,390 | +$2,180 | ||
| Texas | $60,550 | $56,390 | +$4,160 | ||
| Utah | $59,880 | $57,430 | +$2,450 | ||
| Vermont | $59,010 | $59,490 | $-480 | ||
| Virginia | $62,070 | $58,300 | +$3,770 | ||
| Washington | $59,990 | $59,490 | +$500 | ||
| West Virginia | $57,700 | $58,470 | $-770 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,880 | $58,470 | +$1,410 | ||
| Wyoming | $59,880 | $60,530 | $-650 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Postal Service Mail Carriers vs Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $1,901 (3.3%) based on 2025 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 41 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pays more in 10 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 $60,096 per year, compared to $58,195 for a Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators, according to 2025 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 328,850 Postal Service Mail Carriers positions and 105,230 Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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