City Carrier Job Description

by Michael Madson

Overview

City carriers deliver letters to your mailbox.

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As of 2009, the U.S. Postal Service employs more than 600,000 men and women to get letters and packages to their destinations. If you like to work outside and aren't daunted by physical labor, then you might consider becoming a city carrier.
Function

City carriers deliver mail along specified routes in either city or rural areas, collect signed receipts and empty mail collection boxes. Some city carriers only deliver packages.

Qualifications

All applicants must be at least 18, speak English proficiently and pass a U.S. Postal Service test that gauges memorization skills and accuracy and speed of working with names and numbers. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or have status as a permanent resident.
Work Schedule

Full-time city carriers work 40 hours per week, five days a week. Their work begins before sunrise, sometimes as early as 4 a.m. Overtime is available during periods of high volume.
Salary

According to the U.S. Postal Service, wages for city carriers start at almost $20 per hour. Full-time city carriers also qualify for full benefits.
Considerations

City carriers must work in adverse weather conditions and lift heavy loads. Delivery bags weigh up to 35 pounds, and some packages weigh as much as 70 pounds. They may drive a vehicle or work a route on foot.