Where to Search for Post Office Openings in Your Area
The U.S. Postal Service posts all job openings on USPS.com/careers, and this is the only official source. You cannot walk into a local post office and ask about hiring — all positions go through the online system first. The site lets you search by ZIP code, job title, and work schedule, so you can see what is actually open near you right now rather than guessing.
When you search by location, the results show the specific post office or facility hiring, the job title, the salary range for that region, and the process important date. Some positions fill in days; others stay open for weeks. Checking the site weekly gives you the clearest picture of what your local office needs.
You can also set up a job alert on USPS.com/careers so new postings in your area arrive in your email. This saves you from checking manually and means you see openings the day they go live, which matters because popular positions close quickly.
Key Takeaways
- USPS.com/careers is the only official place to find and submit applications for postal jobs; no other site or office location accepts applications.
- Search results show the exact facility, job title, pay range, and important date, so you know whether a position matches what you are looking for before you explore.
- Job alerts sent to your email let you see new openings the day they post, which is important because competitive positions close within days.
- Most entry-level postal jobs require a passing score on the Postal Service Exam 473 or 474, which you take online after you submit your initial process.
- Processing times from process to job offer typically run four to eight weeks, depending on how many people applied and how quickly your background check clears.
Common Post Office Positions and What They Pay
The most common openings are Mail Carrier, Postal Clerk, and Mail Processing Clerk. Mail Carriers deliver mail to homes and businesses on a set route; the job requires a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Postal Clerks work inside the post office sorting mail and helping customers at the counter. Mail Processing Clerks operate sorting machines and prepare mail for delivery. All three are full-time positions with benefits.
Pay varies by region and by how long you have worked there. A new Mail Carrier in a rural area might start around $20 per hour, while the same job in a major city could start closer to $22 or $23 per hour. The USPS website shows the exact starting salary and the salary range for each opening you find, so you can see what that specific job pays before you explore.
Seasonal positions — usually hired between October and December for the holiday mail rush — pay the same hourly rate as permanent jobs but last only a few months. Some people use seasonal work as a way to get hired permanently if a full-time opening comes up at the same facility.
The process and Testing Process
After you submit your process on USPS.com/careers, you will receive an email with a link to take the Postal Service Exam. The exam is online and takes about 30 minutes. You answer questions about reading comprehension, math, and following instructions. You do not need to study; the test measures how carefully you read and follow directions, not knowledge you would have learned in school.
Your exam score and your process answers determine whether you move to the next step. If you pass, the USPS will contact you for a phone or video interview. The interview is straightforward — they ask about your work history, why you want the job, and whether you can work the schedule they need. After the interview comes a background check, which includes a criminal history search and a driving record check for positions that require driving.
The entire process from process to job offer usually takes four to eight weeks. Some facilities move faster; others slower. You can check the status of your process by logging back into USPS.com/careers with your username and password.
What Disqualifies You or Slows Down Your process
A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain crimes — particularly those involving theft or violence — make it much harder to get hired. The USPS conducts a thorough background check, and they look at the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, and what you have done since. If you have a criminal record, you can still explore, but you should be honest about it on the process because lying will disqualify you when ready.
A poor driving record can disqualify you for Mail Carrier positions specifically, since the job requires driving. Too many moving violations, a suspended license, or a DUI within the last few years will likely result in a rejection. Postal Clerk and Mail Processing Clerk positions do not require driving, so a driving record does not affect those applications.
Missing the process important date is the most common reason people do not get considered. Once the important date passes, the posting closes and you cannot explore. Check the important date on the job posting before you start your process, and do not wait until the last day — the system can be slow during peak hours.
Preparing Your process Materials
You will need your Social Security number, a valid government-issued ID, and your work history for the past ten years. Have the dates, job titles, and names of employers ready before you start filling out the process. The form asks detailed questions about each job — why you left, what you did, how much you made — so having this information in front of you speeds things up and reduces mistakes.
If you have a gap in your work history, write a brief explanation in the space provided. The USPS does not reject people for gaps, but they want to know what you were doing — school, caregiving, illness, or unemployment are all acceptable. Leaving the gap blank or writing "N/A" raises questions and can slow down your background check.
Your process photo should be clear and professional. You will upload a recent photo of your face as part of the online process. Blurry photos or photos where your face is partially hidden can cause delays because the background investigator needs to verify your identity.
After You Are Hired: What Comes Next
Once you receive a job offer, you will go through orientation and on-the-job training. For Mail Carriers, training lasts about four weeks and includes classroom instruction on mail sorting, safety, and customer service, plus supervised delivery routes. For Postal Clerks and Mail Processing Clerks, training is usually one to two weeks. You are paid during training, and you start accruing benefits — health insurance, retirement, paid time off — from your first day.
The USPS is a federal employer, so the job comes with federal benefits: health insurance options, a pension plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and life insurance. New employees typically start with 13 days of paid time off per year, which increases after three years and again after 15 years. The job also offers job security — postal jobs are hard to lose once you pass your probationary period, which is usually 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for multiple post offices at the same time?
Yes. You can explore for different positions at different facilities. Each process is separate, and you can have multiple applications in progress at once. If you receive offers from more than one facility, you choose which one to accept.
What if I do not pass the postal exam?
You can retake the exam, but you must wait six months before explore again for the same job at the same facility. You can explore for different positions or different locations sooner. Many people pass on their second attempt after reviewing the types of questions asked.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED?
Yes. The USPS requires a high school diploma or GED for all positions. You will need to provide proof during the background check phase. If you do not have either, you will not be able to move forward with your process.
How long does the background check take?
Background checks typically take two to four weeks, but can take longer if there are questions about your history or if records are slow to arrive. You will receive updates by email as the process moves forward. If the USPS needs more information from you, they will contact you directly.
Can I work part-time at the post office?
Most entry-level positions are full-time. Part-time and flexible-schedule positions exist but are less common and usually only posted at larger facilities. Check the job posting carefully — it will say "Full-Time" or "Part-Time" in the title or description. You can filter by schedule type on the USPS careers site.