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Mail handler vs package handler

The differences between mail handlers and package handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mail handler has an average salary of $35,851, which is higher than the $32,785 average annual salary of a package handler.

The top three skills for a mail handler include mail containers, delivery truck and pallet jack. The most important skills for a package handler are warehouse environment, load trailers, and delivery truck.

Mail handler vs package handler overview

Mail HandlerPackage Handler
Yearly salary$35,851$32,785
Hourly rate$17.24$15.76
Growth rate-6%6%
Number of jobs59,49993,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age4540
Years of experience--

What does a mail handler do?

An employee given the responsibility of a mail handler is dedicated to walking, office work, and delivering mail. A mail handler's day starts by sorting out and preparing mail/packages that are loaded to trucks for dispatch. Mail handlers also have responsibilities in post offices where they perform clergy jobs, attend to customer queries, weigh packages, and organize mail according to location and address. Overall, it's a detailed job to sort and prepare mail, load in trucks, and provide tracking to ensure all mail is routed to its correct destination.

What does a package handler do?

A package handler's primary duty is to place and load correct packages to delivery vehicles and review inventory upon shipments. Package handlers are responsible for analyzing product labels to make sure that the items are accurately processed. A package handler should also have basic knowledge on running warehouse equipment and loading tools to finish the task more efficiently. Package handlers must be able to communicate with other personnel for any concerns that might affect the parcel condition and customer's satisfaction.

Mail handler vs package handler salary

Mail handlers and package handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mail HandlerPackage Handler
Average salary$35,851$32,785
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $56,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateVermontMinnesota
Best paying companyState of ConnecticutALDI USA
Best paying industryRetailRetail

Differences between mail handler and package handler education

There are a few differences between a mail handler and a package handler in terms of educational background:

Mail HandlerPackage Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Mail handler vs package handler demographics

Here are the differences between mail handlers' and package handlers' demographics:

Mail HandlerPackage Handler
Average age4540
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage7%5%

Differences between mail handler and package handler duties and responsibilities

Mail handler example responsibilities.

  • Process mail with RF scanner.
  • Comply with FAA and FedEx rules and regulations.
  • Operate tug and dolly to the fedex plane so they can load them
  • Process mail with RF scanners, or weigh mail for proper postage for shipping
  • Replenish and replace the BMC carts when fill and escort carts to the loading dock.
  • Operate a DBCS, which is an automation machine used to sort mail by zip codes and states.
  • Show more

Package handler example responsibilities.

  • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
  • Read GPS maps for your driving directions.
  • Operate sit down forklift for loading, unloading and running material.
  • License to operate MHE (forklifts, tractors, etc . )
  • Load grind and air shipments onto designate trailers using sit down forklift.
  • Conduct post inspections to ensure guard force personnel proficiency and level of alertness.
  • Show more

Mail handler vs package handler skills

Common mail handler skills
  • Mail Containers, 28%
  • Delivery Truck, 15%
  • Pallet Jack, 12%
  • Load Trucks, 10%
  • Mail Delivery, 5%
  • Mail Handling, 4%
Common package handler skills
  • Warehouse Environment, 25%
  • Load Trailers, 10%
  • Delivery Truck, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Load Packages, 8%
  • Load Trucks, 7%

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