| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Clear jams in sortation equipment. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 356 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
82,200U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
78,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
-3,400 (-4.2%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
8,800
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions. |
| Importance: 53 (%) | Description: Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools. |
| Importance: 51 (%) | Description: Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing. |
| Importance: 47 (%) | Description: Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes. |
| Importance: 41 (%) | Description: Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines. |
| Importance: 26 (%) | Description: Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Adjust office equipment to ensure proper operation. | |
| Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions. | |
| Attach identification information to products, items or containers. | |
| Collect deposits, payments or fees. | |
| Coordinate shipping activities with external parties. | |
| Explain regulations, policies, or procedures. | |
| Inspect items for damage or defects. | |
| Install equipment attachments or components. | |
| Load materials into equipment for processing. | |
| Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition. | |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | |
| Obtain written authorization to perform activities. | |
| Operate computers or computerized equipment. | |
| Operate equipment or vehicles to clear construction sites or move materials. | |
| Operate forklifts or other loaders. | |
| Operate office equipment. | |
| Operate photographic developing or print production equipment. | |
| Package objects for shipping. | |
| Perform administrative or clerical tasks. | |
| Prepare outgoing mail. | |
| Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements. | |
| Receive shipments. | |
| Route mail to correct destinations. | |
| Sell products or services. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
| Set up production or processing equipment. | |
| Sort mail. | |
| Type documents. | |
| Unload materials or equipment. | |
| Verify shipping documentation. | |
| Weigh parcels to determine shipping costs. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Analyze data to improve operations. |
| Activity: Collect fares or payments. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Explain regulations, policies, or procedures. |
| Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products. |
| Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing. |
| Activity: Maintain tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Mark materials or objects for identification. |
| Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment. |
| Activity: Monitor equipment operation. |
| Activity: Obtain formal documentation or authorization. |
| Activity: Operate computer systems or computerized equipment. |
| Activity: Operate construction or excavation equipment. |
| Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment. |
| Activity: Operate lifting or moving equipment. |
| Activity: Operate office equipment. |
| Activity: Package objects. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
| Activity: Sell products or services. |
| Activity: Set up equipment. |
| Activity: Sort materials or products. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| High-Priority Tech Skills |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Microsoft Access |
| Document management software: |
| Adobe Acrobat |
| Operating system software: |
| Microsoft Windows |
| Presentation software: |
| Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Accounting software: |
| Financial accounting software |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Recordkeeping software |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Email software |
| Internet browser software: |
| Web browser software |
| Mailing and shipping software: |
| Postal Explorer |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 48.4 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 45.4 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.2 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 93.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
