Postal pay & benefits
Most people start at the post office in a pre-career job (CCA, RCA, ARC, MHA or PSE) and later convert to career status, which is when the career benefits package begins (some benefits have waiting periods). Here’s what each stage looks like in 2026.
Starting pay, from official postings (reviewed October 20, 2026)
| Pre-career job | Starting hourly pay |
|---|---|
| City Carrier Assistant (CCA) | $21.21/hr |
| Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) | $21.89/hr * |
| Assistant Rural Carrier (ARC) | $21.89/hr * |
| PSE Mail Processing Clerk | $21.44/hr * |
| PSE Sales & Services/Distribution Associate | $21.44/hr * |
| Mail Handler Assistant (MHA) | $19.02/hr |
Paid every two weeks. Pre-career pay is the same nationwide (no local cost-of-living adjustment).
* Scheduled to go up: union contracts give PSEs a 2.5% raise and RCAs/ARCs a raise of about 2.5% starting with the pay period that begins November 14, 2026. The city carrier (CCA) and mail handler (MHA) contracts are being settled, so their pay could change too. Your job posting shows the current rate.
Raises, overtime & extra pay
- Overtime: time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week; double time after 10 hours a day or 56 a week (city carriers).
- Sunday premium: 25% extra for hours worked on Sunday (up to 8 hours).
- Night differential: extra pay for work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Raises: union contracts set yearly increases. PSEs get 2.5% and RCAs/ARCs about 2.5% (1.5% + 1.0%) starting with the pay period that begins November 14, 2026.
- Big jump at conversion: moving to career status brings a higher pay scale, cost-of-living adjustments and the career benefits below (some, like vacation leave, have waiting periods).
Pre-career vs. career benefits
| Benefit | Pre-career (CCA, RCA, ARC, MHA, PSE) | Career |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The Noncareer Health Benefits Plan for most pre-career employees averaging 30+ paid hours a week, with the employer paying part of the premium. Enroll within 60 days of hire. ARC eligibility is unclear; ask at your offer. | The PSHB health benefits program, which replaced FEHB for postal employees on January 1, 2025. |
| Retirement | Pre-career time doesn't count toward the FERS pension, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is for career employees. | FERS: a pension, Social Security, and the TSP with the employer contributing 1% automatically plus matching up to 5% of pay in total. |
| Annual (vacation) leave | 1 hour for every 20 hours worked, up to 13 days a year. CCAs are also advanced 40 hours after their first term. | 13 days a year to start, 20 days after 3 years, 26 days after 15 years. |
| Sick leave | Not in the same form as career employees. | 13 days (104 hours) a year for full-time employees. |
| Paid holidays | Varies by role and contract; ask at your offer. | 11 paid federal holidays a year. |
| Life insurance | Not covered for temporary appointments of a year or less. | The employer pays the full cost of basic FEGLI life insurance; optional coverage available. |
The path to career
- CCAs convert to career after 24 months of standing in their office (one opportunity; the clock restarts if you transfer to another office).
- PSEs convert to career automatically after two years.
- MHAs convert to career (full-time flexible) after 24 months of relative standing.
- RCAs don’t convert automatically; they bid on open career jobs in their office: a regular route after 1 year as an RCA, or a part-time flexible job once past probation, by longest service.
- Some offices now hire career carriers directly where it’s hard to fill CCA jobs.
- Veterans get 5 or 10 preference points added to their exam rating.
Good to know: pay and benefits are set by union contracts that change over time. The city carriers’ and mail handlers’ contracts were in negotiation/arbitration as of October 2026, so new terms may apply. Always confirm details in your job posting and offer.
Sources: official postal newsroom hiring releases (2026), the Employee & Labor Relations Manual, OPM (PSHB, FERS), Office of Inspector General report 26-055-R26 (Sept 2026), and the APWU, NALC, NPMHU and NRLCA contract summaries.