What are the hours and benefits for working for the USPS?

Question

My husband was interested in working for the United States Post Office as a mail man. What kinds of hours is he expected to work? What are the benefits? Starting pay?

Answer 1

First things first. You have to take the Civil Service exam. To be a Letter Carrier, you better have some good stamina. Generally, the hours for a Letter Carrier run about 7-330. Full time carriers have Sunday and a rotating day off. That way, they have a three day weekend every 5 weeks. That is, if you are not forced out to work your day off.

The starting salary is around $19 per hour right now. There is a COLA that will change that next month.

As far as benefits, it is a choice of maybe 100 different health plans. There is a retirement plan as well that is similar to a 401k called the Thrift Savings Plan, USPS gives 1% automatically and will match employee contributions at certain percentages.

You get 13 sick days per year and you can carry over unlimited sick time. You get 13 vacation days, then 20 days after 3 years and 26 days after 15 years of service.

But like I said, you would have to apply to take the test, then wait until the exam is given. In larger metropolitan areas, the test may be given every couple of years. Where I am, somewhat rural, the last test was given over 5 years ago.

In fact, USPS is looking to trim the employee roster by about 20-40,000 by offering Voluntary Early Retirement packages to the workers, so, hiring isn't at the top of anyones list right now.