Letter Carriers

(NOC 1512)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Letter carriers sort and deliver mail, record delivery of registered mail and collect money for cash-on-delivery parcels. Letter carriers are employed by Canada Post Corporation.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 60 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 6600 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline slightly over the next few years, which may affect the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Letter Carriers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers.

The median employment income for 62% of Letter Carriers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $51,397. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.54

Minimum

$21.88

Median

$26.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$11,991

Minimum

$45,672

Median

$66,596

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.03

Median

$35.90

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Letter carriers sort and deliver mail, record delivery of registered mail and collect money for cash-on-delivery parcels. Letter carriers are employed by Canada Post Corporation.

Job duties

Letter carriers perform some or all of the following duties:

Organize mail by address and load into mailbag.
Deliver letters, small parcels and other printed matter along established routes.
Deliver telegrams, special delivery and express mail.
Collect payment for cash-on-delivery service.
Record delivery of registered mail.
Leave notices indicating that items could not be delivered and the location where they can be picked up.
Return undeliverable mail to postal station.

Sample job titles

letter carrier
mail carrier
mail collector
mail deliverer
postal carrier
postal service deliverer
postal worker
postman/woman
priority post carrier

Skills

To work in this field, you must be organized, responsible, and reliable. Your work must be accurate.

Job requirements

Some high school education is required.
Two weeks to one month of training is provided by Canada Post Corporation.

Other considerations

The increased usage of electronic mail and other electronic means of exchanging information will limit new job growth in these jobs and affect the nature of the duties performed. Good health and physical stamina may be needed. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

775

employed in 2016

81.8%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

41.8%

58.2%

52.4

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

81.3%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%

26.6%

47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

36.7%

Halifax

18.1%

Northern

16.9%

Cape Breton

14.1%

Annapolis Valley

13.6%

Southern

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

98.7%

Transportation and Warehousing

1.3%

Other Services

What is the age of Employment?

29.3%

55-64

26.8%

45-54

24.4%

35-44

13.4%

25-34

6.1%

65+

2.4%

15-24

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

36.5%

45-54

28.0%

55-64

18.6%

35-44

10.7%

65+

6.0%

25-34

Top levels of education

42.1%

High school

$29,506 median annual income

17.0%

College certificate or diploma

$38,131 median annual income

13.5%

Less than high school

$38,104 median annual income

13.5%

Bachelor's degree

$34,693 median annual income

11.1%

Trades certificate

$35,851 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

34.4%

College certificate or diploma

$33,837 median annual income

23.7%

High school

$30,074 median annual income

22.9%

Bachelor's degree

$39,473 median annual income

5.8%

Trades certificate

$32,871 median annual income

4.7%

Less than high school

$23,775 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca