What is the average mail carrier salary in the U.S.?
Over a long time, Postal Service has proved to be a dependable and trusted communication supplier of mails. Several customers, employees, and the American republic has managed to stay in touch due to the timely, reliable delivery and collection services by the postal service. Yes, we live in demanding times where long-standing technology and profitable trends are cropping up and are critically reshaping the global services like collection and delivery of postal goods. Shipments are made, and collection or delivery is vital. Therefore, in attaining customers' economic and social requirements,Postal Service has employed mail carriers to facilitate their activities.

Who are the mail carriers?
Mail carriers are employees of package delivery companies like the United States Postal Service (USPS). They are responsible for collecting and delivering mails.They are also known as letter carriers.The carriers are federal employees who must meet some strict standards to be hired. The USPS mail carriers deliver and collect mails on the specific routes assigned to them. They travelfrom homes and businesses in towns, cities, or rural places, to deliver, collect, and obtain signatures. Residential mail carriers may deliver mails on foot, while they can also be provided by tracks depending on the regions.For USPS, delivery must happen; however, poor weather might delay the scheduling, among other factors. Also, the carriersanswer customers' questions about postal services and regulations. Depending on regions, they are given different names. At FedEx, they are known as couriers. At United Parcel Service (UPS), they are called package delivery drivers. A mail carrier is delivering cardboard to a client.

What are the requirements for a mail carrier in the U.S.?
For one to be hired by the USPS, they must attain the following;

• A candidate must be 18 or16 years old, holding a high school diploma.
• When exams are given, the candidate must pass the exams. The exams test the candidates’ knowledge of distribution procedures and their abilities to quickly and accurately check names or numbers.
• A candidate must be a citizen of the U.S. he/she must either be a citizen of U.S. territories or lawful permanent resident aliens.
• Once a candidate is accepted, he/she must undergo a criminal background check. They also must pass a physical and a drug test with a safe driving record.
• Candidates must behave professionally. A basic familiarity with the local geography, knowledge of basic postal laws, regulations are essentials.

Skills requirements include; Interpersonal skills -these are skills that the carriers would need to communicate and interact with individuals or groups. Listening and effective speaking is vital. In listening, a carrier is expected to give full attention to what others say. Take their time to understand key points, ask appropriate questions but not interrupt at inappropriate times. For speaking- a carrier should talk to others and convey information adequately and flawlessly. Moreover, mail carriers should read and understand any written sentences and paragraph instructions in work documents. Organization skills- mail carriers are expected to be competent, to be able to establish an order in their dailyactivities. Organized carriers ensure that mails are collected and delivered to the required destinations on time.

Physical strength- carriers fit enough to be able to carry heavy mails and parcels for delivery. They must also be able to endure long travels and period. Customer service skills- carriers should know principles and processes to provide customer services. They are responsible for addressing customers’ needs on the parcels' arrival and ensures customers' satisfaction. Besides, mail carriers are expected to be honest and reliable.This ensures that in personal or confidential documents/parcels and money is sent, reaches their destinations unopened and undamaged.

What are the duties and responsibilities of the mail carriers?
Mail carriers are to do the following duties;

• Sort and prepare mails
• Travel to a designated route to deliver and collect mails
• Collect money for postage and cash on delivery
• Obtain signatures for registered, insure, and certified mails.
• Answer customers’ questions on USPS procedure, services, and regulations
• Provide change of address cards and information customers’ request

Carriers are to understand their responsibilities and roles entrusted to them. They should ensure they perform their duties diligently, accurately, and professionally.

How is the work environment of mail carriers?
A mail carrier spent most of the time outside of the office, in different types of climates. Sometimes weather condition is a factor in executing their duties. The job is not dangerous; however, they will be required to lift some heavy parcels or products on some occasions. So injuries from repetitive lifting may occur. In cases of rural places, carriers are to walk over time and sometimes for long distances. However, many urban carriers may not have to leave their trucks unless they need the customers' signatures or cash on delivery.

What is the work schedule for USPS carriers?
Most USPS mail carriers are full-time employees for six days a week. Sometimes, overtime is required, maybe during the holiday seasons or over the weekend, meaning carriers will attend to the overtime schedules. Therefore, many USPS carriers would be found working on Saturdays and others on Sunday.

What benefits do the mail carriers in the U.S. have?
USPS mail carriers enjoy several competitive compensation and benefits packages. Included are;

a)Health Insurance
USPS is a participant in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program-the program provides excellent coverage and flexibility. They cover most of the cost paid by the Postal Service. Also, FEHB offers several plans to choose from, like the pre-tax premiums, which ensures the employees' contributions are not subjected to tax- this makes health insurance more affordable.Also, it offers, Fee-For-Service, Health Maintenance Organizations, and High Deductible & Consumer-Driven Health Plans.

b)Compensation
In addition to mail carrier salary or the competitive basic salaries, carriersalso benefit from regular salary increases, depending on the post or job held. Most carriers also receive overtime pays, Sunday/weekend premium pay, and night shift differentials.

c)Life Insurance
The Postal Service offers life insurance through the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEDLI) program. The Postal Service fully pays all the cost of basic coverage. But it provides the option of purchasing additional coverage done through payroll deductions.

d)Thrift Saving Plan (TSP)
TSP is a tax-differed retirement saving and investment plan similar to 401 (k) given in the private industry. The mail carrier contributes to TSP about 5% of their pay on a tax-deferred basis. They later receive automatic and matching contributions from the Postal Service.

e)Flexible Spending Account
Carriers may participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) program. The contribution is tax-free and can be used to cover most of the daycare expenses.

f)Career Development and Training
Postal Service offers a learning environment. The employees are trained to improve their basic operations knowledge and gain more skills.Poster Service also executive-level development provided through a multi-level program which is designed for the executive.

g) Holidays
- USPS mail carriers are guaranteed ten holidays each year Besides, employees can get Long-Term Insurance, retirement benefits (pensions),commuter benefits, free public transportation, and parking.Also, newly hired Postal employees are placed under Social Security and Medicare.USPS mail carriers also benefit fromAnnual leave, annual leave exchange sick leave, among others.

What is the average mail carrier's salary in the U.S.?
USPS mail carrier salary varieswith the frequency of their shifts. Employees who work night and Sundays earns more than the standard rate of the transitions. Also, overtime hours beyond eight hours a day or forty hours in a week worked are paid by the USPS. The average United States Postal Service Mail Carrier hourly pay in the U.S. is approximately $ 17.48. However, the average basesalary per the updated report of November 23, 2020, ranges up to $21.28 per hour. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the followingclassifications for postal workers and carrierearnings. Median Annual Salary of $ 57,260 ($27.53/hour) Top 10% Annual Salary of $ 59,860 ($28.78/hour) Bottom Annual Salary of $33,430 ($16.07/hour)

Which are the highest paying cities in the United States for Mail Carriers?
Philadelphia – the average mail carrier salary is $41.74 per hour, with an overtime payment of $7,212 per year. Carriers also enjoy a referral program and a paid sick time benefits. Houston TX- the average mail carrier salary is about $25.27 per hour plus overtime of $6,485 per year. Atlanta, GA- the average salary for a mail carrier is $23.21 per hour and overtime of $6 66 per year. Charlotte, NC- the average base salary is $22.06 per hour with overtime pay of $6,513 per year. Chicago, IL –here, the average base salary for carriers is $23.90 per hour with an additional overtime payment of $6,485 per year, among other cities. Moreover, the United States has several companies that offer mail delivery and collection services. Included are; Circle Logistics, EXPO Logistics, Kotak Mahindra Bank, among many others.

Conclusion
The critical objective of any Postal Service is to advance comprehensive, dependable mail delivery services that attain their customers' financial and social requirements. Therefore, the employee mail carriers to help in delivering and collecting mails from the designated areas. The carriers also help sort, collect money for postage, and answer customers' questions onthe USPSprocedure, service, and regulations. The mail carriers are expected to have interpersonal skills, organizational, and customer service skills. They must also be of physical strength, honest, and reliable. They greatly benefit from the U.S Postal Service in different ways. They are assured of compensations, health insurance, long-term insurance, life insurance, and commuter benefits, among other benefits.