Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Office and administrative support / 43-5051.00

Postal Service Clerks

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

US jobs
73,720
Median wage
$62,130 a year
Job family
Office and administrative support

Can agents do the work of postal service clerks?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Office and administrative support: Most tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 60% or more of the tasks (or projects) on two direct benchmarks from independent institutions.

Evidence: OSWorld-Verified, 90.2% of tasks completed; SpreadsheetBench, 83.1% of tasks completed.

3% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 9%Assist individuals with paperworkNot measured
  • 8%Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or complianceNot measured
  • 8%Process shipments or mailNot measured
  • 7%Explain regulations, policies, or proceduresNot measured
  • 7%Sell products or servicesNot measured
  • 7%Execute financial transactionsNot measured
  • 6%Sort materials or productsNot measured
  • 6%Move materials, equipment, or suppliesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in office and administrative support, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
  • Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
  • Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
  • Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
  • Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
  • Transport mail from one work station to another.
  • Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
  • Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
  • Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
  • Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.
  • Receive letters and parcels, and place mail into bags.
  • Put undelivered parcels away, retrieve them when customers come to claim them, and complete any related documentation.
Other job titles for this occupation (39)

Bulk Mail Technician · Clerk · Distribution Clerk · Part Time Flexible Clerk (PTF Clerk) · Postal Clerk · Sales and Distribution Clerk · Sales and Service Associate (SSA) · Window Clerk · Annuitant HCA (Annuitant Holiday Clerk Assistant) · Bulk Clerk · Bulk Mail Clerk · Business Mail Entry Clerk · City Carrier · City Carrier Assistant (CCA) · Counter Clerk · Delivery Associate · Delivery Clerk · Dock Clerk · Mail Agent · Mail Caller · Mail Clerk · Mail Handler · Mail Order Clerk · Mailing Clerk · Mailroom Associate · Mailroom Clerk · Money Order Clerk · Package Handler · Package Sorter · Package Switcher · Parcel Post Clerk · Post Office Clerk · Postal Service Clerk · Postal Service Window Clerk · Postal Support Employee · Rural Carrier · Rural Carrier Associate · Special Delivery Clerk · Stamp Clerk