Rural carrier associate vs key carrier

The differences between rural carrier associates and key carriers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rural carrier associate has an average salary of $41,259, which is higher than the $32,262 average annual salary of a key carrier.

The top three skills for a rural carrier associate include delivery sequence, RCA and customer service. The most important skills for a key carrier are store sales, store operations, and customer issues.

Rural carrier associate vs key carrier overview

	Rural Carrier Associate	Key Carrier
Yearly salary	$41,259	$32,262
Hourly rate	$19.84	$15.51
Growth rate	-6%	-6%
Number of jobs	19,421	82,534
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 29%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	-	-

What does a rural carrier associate do?

A rural carrier associate specializes in picking up and delivering mail or parcels within a particular rural area. They are primarily responsible for ensuring that clients will receive the correct packages on time. Aside from this, they must also coordinate with logistics managers, abide by the traffics laws and regulations, communicate with clients and acquire their signature upon a transaction, and monitor the company vehicle by conducting maintenance checks. Furthermore, a rural carrier associate must maintain an accurate record of all deliveries, even the missed and attempted ones.

What does a key carrier do?

A key carrier is primarily in charge of opening and closing business establishments. Because they are typically the first team member to come into the workplace, it is often their duty to set-up alarm systems, clean the sales floor and other areas, arrange shelves or tables, and prepare for the incoming customers. Should there be any problems, it is essential to report to the manager right away. Furthermore, a key carrier must maintain an active communication line with all co-workers while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

Rural carrier associate vs key carrier salary

Rural carrier associates and key carriers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rural Carrier Associate	Key Carrier
Average salary	$41,259	$32,262
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $80,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Portland, OR	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Bristol-Myers Squibb	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between rural carrier associate and key carrier education

There are a few differences between a rural carrier associate and a key carrier in terms of educational background:

	Rural Carrier Associate	Key Carrier
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 29%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Rural carrier associate vs key carrier demographics

Here are the differences between rural carrier associates' and key carriers' demographics:

	Rural Carrier Associate	Key Carrier
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4%	Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between rural carrier associate and key carrier duties and responsibilities

Rural carrier associate example responsibilities.

Manage problems, conduct RCA investigations and deliver completed documentation.
Map appropriate routes using GPS and standard maps.
Complete forms, coding memorization, address memorization.
Skil at memorization, orderliness, and time management
Provide customers with postal information on policies and procedures regarding USPS responsibilities.
Provide professional interaction and friendly enthusiasm with USPS customers to establish total customer satisfaction are implemented.

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Key carrier example responsibilities.

Achieve and exceed store and company sales and KPI goals.
Used KRONOS proficiently on a daily basis to monitor staff clock in/out and to compile payroll bi-weekly.
Handle payments at the POS, stock the storefront as needed, and answer customer questions and inquiries.
Train and develop new associates on POS system, proper formatting of the store, and key sales tactics.
Analyze and study various reports in order to make merchandising, selling, staffing, and payroll planning decisions.
Maintain cleanliness and organizational standards.

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Rural carrier associate vs key carrier skills

Common rural carrier associate skills

Delivery Sequence, 20%
RCA, 19%
Customer Service, 17%
Mail Security, 10%
Postal Service, 6%
Mail Delivery, 4%

Common key carrier skills

Store Sales, 21%
Store Operations, 18%
Customer Issues, 12%
Cleanliness, 5%
Basic Math, 4%
Math, 4%

Rural Carrier Associate vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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