Postal workers, sometimes also called mailmen, are a big part of our lives even though we do not interact with them all that often.
Delivering our bills, gifts, and goods to our homes and businesses might be there primary job, but there are so many other tasks they do.
Postal workers are considered blue collar workers because their daily job includes lifting, moving, walking, driving, all of which require physical stamina.
That physical stamina and manual labor are key components of defining what being a blue collar worker is.
Why Postal Workers Are Considered Blue Collar
The job is hard work.
One day you may be driving a truck – the next day you may be sorting mail.
No matter which, there is a lot of physical work to be had.
Mailmen are responsible for delivering mail and packages to homes and businesses across the country, and their work is essential to keeping communication flowing.
Others may be working in the post office helping customers, but even that requires a lot of lifting and sorting.
In any given day a postal worker may do any of the following:
- Drive a truck
- Deliver heavy packages
- Get signatures for deliveries
- Carry mail and walk to deliver mail
- Work in rain, sleet, snow, and heat
- Sort mail in the warehouse
None of the above lends itself to becoming white-collar, or any other color career.
Exploring A Postal Worker Career
To become a mailman, or postal worker, is not an incredibly difficult process but can be a long process.
Of course having a clean record will be one of the most important things you need to have. This applies to your driving and criminal record. You will be responsible for getting really important and confidential mail to recipients so being honest and ethical is key.
You will need to also have or undergo the following:
- Be a United States citizen
- 16 years of age with a high school diploma
- 18 or over requires no GED or college
- Undergo drug testing (there is a lot of information about drug testing not being required anymore, but we have spoke to a few employees who said they were drug tested as recently as 2023)
- Be able to lift at least 50 pounds
- Pass a written postal exam
If you can complete the above successfully you may move on to the USPS list of pre hires which is a good sign you may land a job soon!
A job as a postal worker may not be glamorous but it does come with a pretty good salary and excellent benefits. Definitely a blue-collar career path worth considered.
