Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

£25,550

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

39 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

2.16%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 9211

Workers in this unit group collect, receive, sort and deliver mail, documents, correspondence or messages, either between or within establishments.

Common tasks include:

collects mail from post boxes, receives parcels, and collects correspondence, documents and other material from individuals, offices or other establishments;
sorts mail, parcels and other incoming and outgoing material for delivery, and maintains records of material received and despatched;
delivers mail, parcels, correspondence and other materials to specified or agreed routes and schedules;
completes delivery forms, collects charges, and issues receipts for the collection and delivery of registered or recorded mail and other items.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements. A medical examination may be required. Entrants complete short induction courses followed by a programme of off- and on-the-job training. NVQs/ SVQs in Mail Operations are available at Levels 1 and 2.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Regional employment: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Future employment: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Top 12 industries: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Alternative & related job titles: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Deliveryman (newsagents) Driver, collection (PO) Postman, head Messenger, chief Clerk and telegraphist, sorting Messenger Driver-postman Sorter (parcels delivery service) Orderly Boy, paper Stamper (PO) Supervisor (PO: sorting office) Lad, order Courier, bank Executive, postal (PO: Assistant, facilities Clerk, postroom Waiter (stock exchange) Inspector of postmen Supervisor, room, mail Officer, controlling (PO) Clerk, post Girl, paper (newsagents) Boy, delivery Postman, works Distributor, newspaper Postwoman, grade, higher Worker, postal Sorter (PO) Rider, dispatch Messenger, head Sorter, head (PO) Assistant, room, post Sorter-loader (parcels delivery service) Worker, office, post Clerk, mailroom Assistant, room, mail Manager, line (PO) Officer, supervising (PO) Postman-driver Assistant, sorting (PO) Inspector (PO) Deliverer, allowance Forewoman (PO) Sorter, post Inspector, assistant (PO) Postman Deliverer (newspapers, magazines) Distributor, circular Boy, newspaper Attendant (government) Deliverer, parcel Supervisor, chief, senior (PO) Inspector, postal Officer, outdoor Supervisor, mail Operative, room, post Roundsman (newspaper delivery) Attendant, room, mail Deliverer, book Messenger, Queen's Sorter, postal Handler, parcel Clerk, sorting (PO) PHG Supervisor, postal Postwoman, head Sorter, mail Sorter, parcel Porter, room, post Supervisor of sorting assistants (PO) Cadet, postal Deliverer, newspaper Courier Distributor, leaflet Taker, copy (publishing) Supervisor, room, post Postwoman Girl, shop, tailor's Agent, delivery Overseer (PO: sorting office) Postwoman, works Worker, delivery, postal Clerk, room, post Clerk, postal Postman, grade, higher Clerk, room, mail Sorter, letter Attendant, room, post

Equality focus: Postal workers, mail sorters, messengers and couriers

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.