Does USPS Hire Part-Time Employees in 2024? The Complete Guide

As one of the largest civilian employers in the United States, the U.S. Postal Service relies heavily on part-time employees to handle fluctuating mail volumes and provide reliable service across America six days a week.

Approximately 140,000 of the total 644,000 USPS career employees worked part-time hours as of January 2023, according to data provided to industry expert Ed David. That‘s nearly 22% of the USPS workforce dedicated to part-time positions.

In this comprehensive guide, we analyze everything you need to know about obtaining part-time employment with the Postal Service, from available jobs to wages and benefits.

Who Does USPS Hire for Part-Time Jobs?

USPS divides part-time workers into three main categories:

Part-Time Regular Employees

Assigned set schedules with less than 40 work hours per week. Paid on an hourly basis.

Part-Time Flexible Employees

Flexible work schedules based on mail volumes and service demands. Hours vary week-to-week. Paid hourly.

Part-Time Salaried Employees

Assigned set schedules with less than 40 work hours per week. Paid on a salaried basis.

The largest cohort is part-time flexible employees, per the latest USPS 10-K filing.

Common Part-Time Positions at USPS

Popular part-time positions include:

• Postal Clerk
• Mail Processing Clerk
• City Carrier Assistant
• Rural Carrier Assistant
• Sales & Distribution Associate

Jobs are situated in post offices, distribution centers, and other facilities nationwide.

Part-Time USPS Employee Hours

USPS part-time employees cannot legally exceed 40 hours per work week. However, weekly hours are not guaranteed and vary substantially depending on several factors:

• Employee Category: Part-time regulars routinely work 20-39 hours per week. Part-time flexible employees work far few hours on average and cannot count on a set schedule.

• Seasonality: USPS hires temporary part-time workers during peak holiday shipping seasons to handle extra load. Their hours may reduce substantially after December.

• Location: Staffing needs fluctuate based on community population, proximity to processing hubs, and mail volume trends. Rural and suburban areas tend to see wider variability in part-time hours.

Here is a breakdown of average weekly hours for common part-time positions, according to postal employee unions:

Part-Time USPS Pay Rates

USPS part-time employee hourly wages are determined by labor union negotiated pay scales based on position, years of accumulated service, and work location among other factors.

The following table outlines average hourly base pay rates for five major part-time postal jobs as outlined in current USPS-American Postal Workers Union (APWU) collective bargaining agreements:

These current rates already reflect an over 2% wage increaseauthorized in late 2022. Pay scales for career part-time roles at USPS consistently rise over time with new union contracts, longevity raises, and cost of living adjustments (COLA).

For example, a part-time flexible mail processing clerk hired at entry-level base pay of $26.23/hour in 2024 could earn up to $31.12/hour by their fourth year of employment based on scheduled raises.

Benefits for Part-Time USPS Employees

The Postal Service also offers benefits for part-time employees including:

Paid Leave

• 13-26 vacation days per year depending on years spent in USPS system
• 13 paid sick leave days annually

Health Insurance

• Eligible for FEHB program medical coverage at same rates as full-time employees

Having access to affordable health insurance and paid time off allows USPS to remain an attractive part-time employer for everyone from students to parents looking for schedule flexibility.

Why Choose USPS for a Part-Time Job?

Beyond competitive wages and benefits packages, part-time jobs with USPS offer other advantages:

Job Security
Due to federal statutes protecting the agency, USPS provides exceptionally stable part-time employment. Temporary/seasonal positions can also convert into permanent roles over time.

Advancement Potential
Part-time workers get first shot at new full-time openings before outside hires. Years of service count towards retirement.

Varied Work
With new tasks everyday from sorting mail to serving customers, USPS jobs stay interesting. You gain transferable skills.

In today‘s economy with high inflation and recession worries, USPS stands out as an employer continuing to hire part-time workers with pay to match rising costs. Their jobs remain in high demand heading into 2023 and beyond.