Postal Job Compensation and Benefits
According to the APWU (American Postal Workers Union), an average postal worker's salary (Level 5/Step O) is $52,747. This salary has increased from an average of only $8,442 in 1969.
Some representative salary ranges for the most popular positions are listed below:
Mail Carriers Salary
In May 2006, the median annual salary of Postal Service mail carriers was $44,350. Earnings ranged from $40,290 to $48,400 for the middle 50 percent. The top 10 percent of Postal Service mail carriers earned more than $50,830.
Sorters/Processors Salary
In 2006, the median annual salary of Postal Service mail processors was $43,900. Earnings ranged from $40,350 to $47,440 for the middle 50 percent. The top 10 percent of mail sorters and processors earned more than $49,570.
Clerks Salary
In 2006 the median annual salary of Postal Service clerks was $44,800. Earnings ranged from $41,720 to $47,890 for the middle 50 percent. The top 10 percent earned more than $49,750.
Benefits
The benefits of Postal Service workers are similar to those enjoyed by Federal Government workers. Employees of the postal service are often members of various unions, such as: The American Postal Workers Union, the National Association of Letter Carriers, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.
Health Insurance
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program provides the health insurance for postal service workers. The program provides both excellent coverage and flexibility. More importantly, most of the cost is paid by the Postal Service. Both traditional insurance coverage and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) plans are available.
Retirement
Postal Service employees are covered under the federal retirement program. The retirement plan provides a defined benefit annuity at normal retirement age as well as disability coverage. In addition, some postal employees may contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is similar to 401(k) retirement savings plans. Employees contributions to TSP are tax-deferred. After a waiting period, employees may also receive matching contributions up to 5 percent of pay.
Social Security and Medicare
Postal employees are covered under Social Security and Medicare.
Life Insurance
The postal services fully pays for basic life insurance coverage through the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. Additionally, employees are given the option to purchase additional coverage through payroll deduction.
Flexible Spending Accounts
After one year of service, employees may participate in the postal services' Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program. Contributions to FSA are made pre-tax (which makes them a great tax savings benefit) and can be used to cover most out-of-pocket health care and day care expenses.
Vacations, Holidays, Sick Days
Full-time employees earn 13 days of vacation per year, increasing to 20 days after 3 years of service, and to 26 days per year after 15 years of service. In addition, postal service workers receive 10 holidays off each year. Finally, full- time employees are allowed to use up to 13 days of sick leave per year due to illness or accident.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Postal Service Workers, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/oco/ocos141.htm
United States Postal Service, www.usps.com/employment
American Postal Workers Union, www.apwu.org
National Association of Letter Carriers, www.nalc.org
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