Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators vs Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators vs Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Compare the evidence side by side. Career Matchup shows the source data without declaring an overall winner.

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,470
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$45,260
77% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

Mean annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$59,430
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$46,810
79% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

Hourly median wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$28.11
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$21.76
77% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

Hourly mean wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$28.57
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$22.50
79% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$45,530
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$34,650
76% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$48,880
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$38,200
78% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$75,030
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$51,570
69% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$75,280
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$62,190
83% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

National employment

2025

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators105,200
13% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks816,870
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 43-5071

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators-5.3%
70% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks-7.6%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5071

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators7.3k
12% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks61.3k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5071

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5071

Related work experience

2025-2035

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5071

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsShort-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5053

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksShort-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 43-5071

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators3.8 raw · CX scale
70% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks4.5 raw · CX scale
87% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Time pressure

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators4.7 raw · CX scale
92% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks4.6 raw · CX scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Spend time standing

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators4.3 raw · CX scale
83% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3.3 raw · CX scale
56% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Exposed to contaminants

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators4.1 raw · CX scale
78% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.5 raw · CX scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators1.2 raw · CX scale
5% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1.2 raw · CX scale
4% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.5 raw · CX scale
38% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1.6 raw · CX scale
16% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Active listening

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Monitoring

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Reading comprehension

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3.1 raw · LV scale
45% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Critical thinking

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.6 raw · LV scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Speaking

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.6 raw · LV scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Learning strategies

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.3 raw · LV scale
32% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Active learning

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Writing

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators1.9 raw · LV scale
27% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Mathematics

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.3 raw · LV scale
32% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.3 raw · WI scale
88% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.5 raw · WI scale
91% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Attention to detail

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators2.4 raw · WI scale
90% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2.4 raw · WI scale
90% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Stress tolerance

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators1 raw · WI scale
66% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks0.9 raw · WI scale
65% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Cooperation

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators0.7 raw · WI scale
61% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5053.00

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1.1 raw · WI scale
69% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 43-5071.00

Explore your next step

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

  • Use the career comparison checklist

Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 43-5053 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 43-5053 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 43-5053.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 43-5071 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 43-5071 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 43-5071.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.