The Complete Guide to Becoming a USPS City Carrier Assistant

ByCharles Scott Last Update on

Interested to know whether a mail carrier job is right for you? As a USPS city carrier assistant (CCA), you‘ll contribute to a vital public service while earning a decent wage. However, the role also involves covering long routes in all weather conditions.

This comprehensive guide provides insider tips to handle the demands and opportunities of being a CCA based on USPS data and employee experiences.

What Does a USPS City Carrier Assistant Do?

USPS city carrier assistants deliver mail to homes and businesses within metropolitan areas. An average day consists of:

  • Arriving at the post office: CCAs begin their day casing mail for their assigned routes. This involves sorting letters, flats, and small parcels into delivery sequence.

  • Loading vehicles: CCAs organize mail, packages, and equipment in postal trucks before heading out to deliver. Some may have walking routes and carry mail in satchels.

  • Delivering mail: Traveling between stops via walking, bicycling, or driving, carriers deliver mail efficiently despite weather conditions. Stops average 3-5 minutes each.

  • Handling parcels: Scanning packages with handheld devices and obtaining signatures from recipients upon delivery. Packages can weigh 70 pounds.

  • Interacting with customers: CCAs provide customer service by collecting outgoing mail, answering questions, and providing forms.

  • Returning to post office: At the end of a route, carriers return undelivered mail, equipment, and vehicles back to the station. They may have additional sorting or facility duties.

According to postal employees, no two days are alike thanks to fluctuating mail volumes and constantly rotating route assignments.

What Are the Requirements to Become a City Carrier Assistant?

Compared to more advanced postal jobs, the barriers to becoming a USPS city carrier assistant are low. Applicants must:

  • Be 18+ years old
  • Hold a valid state driver‘s license (if driving required)
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent GED
  • Pass criminal background check and drug screening
  • Get at least a 70 on the Postal Exam 474
  • Show basic physical fitness for job duties

Postal service veterans claim deep attention to detail is vital for this job. Math and navigation abilities also help carriers complete routes efficiently.

How Much Does a USPS City Carrier Assistant Make?

According to the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), city carrier assistants earn between $19.01 to $22.83 per hour based on cost of living in their region.

For context, the average hourly wages for CCAs by city are:

CityAverage Hourly Wage
Los Angeles$21.19
Chicago$20.12
Houston$20.62
Philadelphia$20.89
Phoenix$20.30

These hourly wages translate to average annual salaries between $41,000 to $49,000 for CCAs. Tenured employees who work significant overtime can reasonably expect total compensation in the mid $50,000s.

While CCA wages are lower than career letter carriers‘ at first, the gap closes over time. For example, career carriers in Chicago earn $25 per hour on average compared to $20.12 for CCAs.

What Benefits Do CCAs Receive?

Because city carrier assistants are not career USPS employees, they unfortunately miss out on some perks extended to union mail carriers:

Included Benefits

  • Option for USPS health insurance after a 90-day probation period
  • Annual leave accrual of 1 hour per 20 hours worked
  • Holiday pay for 6 federal paid holidays
  • Representation by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)

Excluded Benefits:

  • Retirement pension and access to the federal Thrift Savings Plan
  • Pay raises beyond contractual increases
  • Additional vacation leave allowances tied to years of service

Essentially, CCAs gain access to core health and wellness benefits without the long-term and family-oriented provisions offered in the NALC‘s career contracts.

What‘s the Job Outlook for USPS City Carrier Assistants?

The job outlook for CCAs is strong – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 2% increase in postal service jobs through 2030 due to population growth.

Specifically for CCAs, there are positive indicators:

  • Total mail volume stop declining in 2021 for the first time in over a decade.
  • Package shipment continues rapid scaling, needing additional carriers.
  • Approximately 155,000 career letter carriers are expected to retire between 2022 and 2031.

As city carrier assistants, workers can expect preferential hiring status and faster promotions when these positions open up. The average time to convert to career status is between 1.5 – 2 years based on conversations with USPS veterans.

What Are the Biggest Pros and Cons of Being a CCA?

Before deciding if applying for CCA is right, weigh the most commonly cited pros and cons:

Pros

  • Weekly pay as high or higher than many entry-level jobs
  • Generous wage growth through contractual raises
  • Path to career status with salary topping $60k+
  • Tight-knit community and camaraderie

Cons

  • Long hours with inflexible schedule
  • High physical demands with lots of walking
  • No guarantee or timeline for career conversion
  • Can be assigned to different stations routinely

Essentially – postal service jobs offer good compensation for those willing to work hard under challenging conditions.

The lack of work-life balance and job stability are tradeoffs for the level of pay city carrier assistants receive early in their careers.

5 Tips for Getting Hired as a City Carrier Assistant

Follow this advice to stand out during the USPS hiring process:

  1. Check job listings frequently as positions open up often
  2. Prepare for postal exams like Exam 474 with online practice
  3. Highlight customer service skills on your application
  4. Dress professionally for your interview
  5. Ask about timeline and criteria to become a career employee

The hiring process moves swiftly when USPS needs to fill CCA roles – be ready to act fast if you want to land one of these positions.

While securing the job is reasonably attainable, excelling as carrier assistant requires mental toughness. But upon conversion to career status, USPS offers a stable job with salary and benefits to support a family.

Interested in working for the post office? Now you have the complete picture of the duties, pay, conditions, and advancement opportunities available as a USPS city carrier assistant.

Charles Scott is a dynamic professional whose academic and career achievements demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in the retail and consumer service industry. Graduating with an MBA from New York University in 2013, Charles has built a diverse and impressive career portfolio. He has held significant roles as a manager, advisor, and marketer, showcasing his multifaceted skills and deep understanding of the industry.

Beyond his direct professional engagements, Charles has made a notable mark as the head writer and founder of ExpertBeacon.com. This platform stands as a testament to his dedication to consumer empowerment and education. ExpertBeacon.com is a resource designed to assist consumers in addressing their persistent questions about products, services, and companies. Under Charles's leadership, the site provides in-depth, well-researched, and accurate information, all structured in easy-to-follow guides and articles. His work here not only highlights his expertise in the field but also his commitment to providing valuable, actionable information to the public.

Charles's approach is centered on a keen understanding of consumer needs and market dynamics, making him a respected voice in the industry. His contributions through ExpertBeacon.com and his professional roles reflect a blend of strategic thinking, practical knowledge, and a genuine desire to enhance consumer experiences in the retail and consumer service sectors.

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