Postal Service Mail Carrier salary in District of Columbia
Postal Service Mail Carriers in District of Columbia earn a median of $64,250 a year ($30.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,040 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $60,550. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for postal service mail carriers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.3 postal service mail carriers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $65,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for postal service mail carriers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| 25th percentile | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Median | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| 75th percentile | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Average (mean) | $65,030 | $31.26 |
Half of postal service mail carriers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,354.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,677.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,471.15 |
| Weekly | $1,235.58 |
| Hourly | $30.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Postal Service Mail Carrier salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $64,250 | 6,250 |
Highest-paying states for postal service mail carriers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,250 |
| Rhode Island | $63,610 |
| Arizona | $62,390 |
| California | $62,090 |
| Illinois | $62,070 |
| Maryland | $62,070 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 |
| Nevada | $62,070 |
| New York | $62,070 |
| Virginia | $62,070 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $67,790 | $32.59 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Office Clerks, General | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $49,060 | $23.59 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a postal service mail carrier make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for postal service mail carriers in District of Columbia is $64,250 a year, or $30.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid postal service mail carriers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of postal service mail carriers in District of Columbia earn at least $81,040 a year. The top 25% earn $81,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for postal service mail carriers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,160 a year, and a quarter of postal service mail carriers earn $51,130 or less.
How many postal service mail carriers work in District of Columbia?
About 930 postal service mail carriers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.