To become a postman in the US, you apply to the Postal Service, pass a written exam, a background check, a medical assessment and a drug screening, and as a mail carrier, pass a road test. You must be at least 18, or 16 with a high school diploma. In the UK, you can apply directly for delivery work or take a delivery apprenticeship.
Mail carrying is one of the few steady jobs you can get without a formal qualification. Here's how it works on both sides of the Atlantic, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) postal service workers profile and the National Careers Service postperson profile, read on 26 October 2026.
The US route, step by step
- Check you meet the basics. BLS says you must be at least 18, or 16 with a high school diploma, and a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Apply and take the written exam. It covers four areas: address cross comparison, forms completion, memory and coding, and personal characteristics and experience.
- Pass the checks. Expect a criminal background check, a medical assessment and a drug screening. You may also be asked to show you can lift and handle heavy mail sacks.
- Pass the road test. Mail carriers who drive need a driver's licence, a safe driving record and a passing grade on a road test.
- Learn on the job. New postal workers get on-the-job training that usually lasts a few weeks, and beginning carriers may work alongside an experienced carrier.
US pay and jobs
| Occupation (BLS, May 2025) | Median annual pay | Jobs in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Postal service mail carriers | $60,550 | 316,400 |
| Postal service clerks | $62,130 | 70,900 |
| Mail sorters, processors and machine operators | $58,470 | 101,200 |
| All postal service workers | $59,880 | 488,500 |
Those figures are as of October 2026. For comparison, it's worth knowing the federal minimum wage, so you can see how far above the legal floor the Postal Service median sits.
The catch nobody mentions: shrinking jobs, steady openings
BLS projects overall postal employment to decline 1% from 2025 to 2035. That sounds like a bad time to apply, but the same profile expects about 32,200 openings for postal service workers every year, on average, over the decade. All of them come from replacing people who move to other jobs or leave the workforce. So the job isn't growing, but there's still steady hiring because so many people are needed just to replace those leaving.
What the different postal jobs involve
When people say postman in the US, they usually mean a mail carrier, but the Postal Service hires for three main groups, and it's worth knowing which one you're applying for:
- Mail carriers deliver mail to homes and businesses in cities, towns and rural areas. Most travel set routes on foot, by vehicle or both. They're the biggest group by far, with 316,400 jobs.
- Clerks work the counter, selling stamps, envelopes and boxes, and registering, certifying and insuring mail. They also answer questions and may help sort mail.
- Mail sorters and processors prepare mail for delivery in processing centres, usually indoors.
If you'd rather stay inside, a clerk or processing role still gets you into the Postal Service, and they're all covered by the same written exam and checks. Clerks have the highest median pay of the three groups, so don't assume the delivery round is the best-paid option.
The UK route to becoming a postman or postwoman
The National Careers Service lists two main ways in. You can apply directly for postal delivery work, or you can apply for an Express Delivery Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in delivery or sorting with a courier or postal firm. The apprenticeship takes around one year and mixes on-the-job learning with time at a training centre, and employers set their own entry requirements.
The service also points out that Royal Mail often recruits temporary staff, which is a useful way to get experience before applying for a permanent role. For direct applications, you'll need to be physically fit, a good timekeeper and friendly. If you want to work on van deliveries, you'll need a full driving licence.
One practical tip from the service: you'll usually need your own transport to get to work, because public transport may not suit early shift times. And before your first payslip, make sure you have your National Insurance number ready.
What the job involves
- Sorting mail and parcels for your route, by hand or with a sorting system
- Delivering on foot or by vehicle, in cities, towns and rural areas
- Collecting signatures on a hand-held device
- Picking up mail from post boxes, post offices and businesses
- Moving mail between processing centres, delivery offices, stations and airports
The work is physically active and outdoors in all weathers. In the UK, you may need to wear a uniform. With experience, the National Careers Service says you could be promoted to delivery office supervisor or manager, or move into national parcel deliveries or HGV driving.
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My verdict
If you want a steady job without needing a degree, mail carrying is a solid choice, and you don't need any prior experience. In the US, the median pay for mail carriers is $60,550, and the openings keep coming even as overall employment slips. Prepare for the written exam, keep your driving record clean and expect a physical job. In the UK, temporary seasonal work is often the easiest door in.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to become a postman?
No formal qualification is required. In the US, BLS says postal workers typically need no formal educational credential but must pass a written exam. In the UK, employers set their own requirements.
How old do you have to be to work for USPS?
BLS says postal service workers must be at least 18, or 16 with a high school diploma.
What is on the postal exam?
It covers address cross comparison, forms completion, memory and coding, and personal characteristics and experience.
How much do mail carriers make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $60,550 for postal service mail carriers in May 2025.
Do you need a driving licence to be a postman?
In the US, carriers who drive need a licence, a safe driving record and a road test pass. In the UK, you need a full driving licence for van deliveries.
Is there a postman apprenticeship in the UK?
Yes. The National Careers Service lists an Express Delivery Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, which takes around one year.
