USPS Mail Handler Pay Scale 2026 (NPMHU)
NPMHU mail handlers are paid on two career tables, set by appointment date, in grades 4 and 5, plus full-time flexible and mail handler assistant (MHA) rates. The tables below are the wage chart NPMHU published effective September 6, 2025 (PP 20-2025), the last one issued under the 2022-2025 National Agreement.
Table shown: 2022-2025 NPMHU-USPS National Agreement, effective September 6, 2025. No increase is scheduled. The agreement ended without a successor; NPMHU declared impasse on June 5, 2026 and has been in interest arbitration since August 2026, with no award reported yet. The arbitration will set the terms of the new agreement.
FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the U.S. Postal Service or any union. Figures are copied from the unions' published pay schedules and agreements; your PS Form 50, your local union and your HR office are authoritative.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Pay tables checked October 24, 2026 · Methodology & sources
NPMHU pay calculator
Steps AA to P. Hourly rate is the printed full-time and part-time regular rate (annual salary / 2,080).
Paid after 8 hours on duty in a service day or 40 hours in a service week (Article 8.4.A and B). The agreement has no penalty overtime rate.
Where two or more overtime or premium rates could apply to the same hour, only the higher one is paid (Article 8.4.C). Each hour is paid at one rate, so enter each overtime hour once.
From your PS Form 50 or pay stub. Used to date the end of the waiting period.
Base pay, Step AA
- Table hourly rate
- $25.41
- Weekly
- $1,016.42
- Biweekly
- $2,032.85
- Annual
- $52,854.00
- Published annual salary
- $52,854
Gross pay before taxes and deductions. Annual = one week's pay x 52. Other premiums (night differential, Sunday, holiday) are not included.
Next step
- Waiting period for this step
- 88 weeks (about 20 months)
- Weeks left
- 88 weeks (about 20 months)
- Next: Step A
- $27.85 an hour
- Raise at next step
- $5,067 a year
- Weeks to the top step
- 740 weeks (about 171 months)
Waiting periods are the weeks printed with each table. The effective date of your actual step increase is on your PS Form 50.
NPMHU mail handler pay tables
Copied from National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) published schedules under the 2022-2025 NPMHU-USPS National Agreement. Annual rates are basic pay for a full-time employee before taxes and deductions.
Table 1, grade 4: career appointment before February 15, 2013 (effective September 6, 2025)
| Step | Weeks in step | Annual | Bi-weekly | Hourly (FTR/PTR) | Overtime | PTF hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step AA | 88 weeks | $52,854 | $2,033 | $25.41 | $38.12 | $26.53 |
| Step A | 88 weeks | $57,921 | $2,228 | $27.85 | $41.78 | $29.08 |
| Step B | 88 weeks | $64,300 | $2,473 | $30.91 | $46.37 | $32.28 |
| Step C | 44 weeks | $67,316 | $2,589 | $32.36 | $48.54 | $33.79 |
| Step D | 44 weeks | $71,752 | $2,760 | $34.50 | $51.75 | $36.02 |
| Step E | 44 weeks | $72,109 | $2,773 | $34.67 | $52.01 | $36.20 |
| Step F | 44 weeks | $72,472 | $2,787 | $34.84 | $52.26 | $36.38 |
| Step G | 44 weeks | $72,827 | $2,801 | $35.01 | $52.52 | $36.56 |
| Step H | 44 weeks | $73,189 | $2,815 | $35.19 | $52.79 | $36.74 |
| Step I | 44 weeks | $73,549 | $2,829 | $35.36 | $53.04 | $36.92 |
| Step J | 34 weeks | $73,915 | $2,843 | $35.54 | $53.31 | $37.11 |
| Step K | 34 weeks | $74,269 | $2,857 | $35.71 | $53.57 | $37.28 |
| Step L | 26 weeks | $74,631 | $2,870 | $35.88 | $53.82 | $37.47 |
| Step M | 26 weeks | $74,991 | $2,884 | $36.05 | $54.08 | $37.65 |
| Step N | 24 weeks | $75,351 | $2,898 | $36.23 | $54.35 | $37.83 |
| Step O | 24 weeks | $75,709 | $2,912 | $36.40 | $54.60 | $38.01 |
| Step P | Top step | $76,070 | $2,926 | $36.57 | $54.86 | $38.19 |
Table 1, grade 5: career appointment before February 15, 2013 (effective September 6, 2025)
| Step | Weeks in step | Annual | Bi-weekly | Hourly (FTR/PTR) | Overtime | PTF hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step AA | 88 weeks | $54,642 | $2,102 | $26.27 | $39.41 | $27.43 |
| Step A | 88 weeks | $59,719 | $2,297 | $28.71 | $43.07 | $29.98 |
| Step B | 88 weeks | $66,532 | $2,559 | $31.99 | $47.99 | $33.40 |
| Step C | 44 weeks | $69,629 | $2,678 | $33.48 | $50.22 | $34.95 |
| Step D | 44 weeks | $72,623 | $2,793 | $34.91 | $52.37 | $36.46 |
| Step E | 44 weeks | $73,011 | $2,808 | $35.10 | $52.65 | $36.65 |
| Step F | 44 weeks | $73,404 | $2,823 | $35.29 | $52.94 | $36.85 |
| Step G | 44 weeks | $73,782 | $2,838 | $35.47 | $53.21 | $37.04 |
| Step H | 44 weeks | $74,171 | $2,853 | $35.66 | $53.49 | $37.23 |
| Step I | 44 weeks | $74,563 | $2,868 | $35.85 | $53.78 | $37.43 |
| Step J | 34 weeks | $74,948 | $2,883 | $36.03 | $54.05 | $37.62 |
| Step K | 34 weeks | $75,334 | $2,897 | $36.22 | $54.33 | $37.82 |
| Step L | 26 weeks | $75,718 | $2,912 | $36.40 | $54.60 | $38.01 |
| Step M | 26 weeks | $76,110 | $2,927 | $36.59 | $54.89 | $38.21 |
| Step N | 24 weeks | $76,501 | $2,942 | $36.78 | $55.17 | $38.40 |
| Step O | 24 weeks | $76,878 | $2,957 | $36.96 | $55.44 | $38.59 |
| Step P | Top step | $77,267 | $2,972 | $37.15 | $55.73 | $38.79 |
Table 2, grade 4: career appointment on or after February 15, 2013 (effective September 6, 2025)
| Step | Weeks in step | Annual | Bi-weekly | Hourly (FTR/PTR) | Overtime | PTF hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step AA | 48 weeks | $46,023 | $1,770 | $22.13 | $33.20 | $23.10 |
| Step A | 48 weeks | $47,939 | $1,844 | $23.05 | $34.58 | $24.07 |
| Step B | 48 weeks | $49,411 | $1,900 | $23.76 | $35.64 | $24.80 |
| Step C | 48 weeks | $51,313 | $1,974 | $24.67 | $37.01 | $25.76 |
| Step D | 48 weeks | $53,221 | $2,047 | $25.59 | $38.39 | $26.72 |
| Step E | 48 weeks | $55,125 | $2,120 | $26.50 | $39.75 | $27.67 |
| Step F | 48 weeks | $57,033 | $2,194 | $27.42 | $41.13 | $28.63 |
| Step G | 48 weeks | $58,933 | $2,267 | $28.33 | $42.50 | $29.58 |
| Step H | 48 weeks | $60,836 | $2,340 | $29.25 | $43.88 | $30.54 |
| Step I | 48 weeks | $62,741 | $2,413 | $30.16 | $45.24 | $31.50 |
| Step J | 48 weeks | $64,643 | $2,486 | $31.08 | $46.62 | $32.45 |
| Step K | 48 weeks | $66,549 | $2,560 | $31.99 | $47.99 | $33.41 |
| Step L | 48 weeks | $68,455 | $2,633 | $32.91 | $49.37 | $34.36 |
| Step M | 48 weeks | $70,358 | $2,706 | $33.83 | $50.75 | $35.32 |
| Step N | 48 weeks | $72,261 | $2,779 | $34.74 | $52.11 | $36.28 |
| Step O | 48 weeks | $74,171 | $2,853 | $35.66 | $53.49 | $37.23 |
| Step P | Top step | $76,070 | $2,926 | $36.57 | $54.86 | $38.19 |
Table 2, grade 5: career appointment on or after February 15, 2013 (effective September 6, 2025)
| Step | Weeks in step | Annual | Bi-weekly | Hourly (FTR/PTR) | Overtime | PTF hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step AA | 48 weeks | $47,663 | $1,833 | $22.91 | $34.37 | $23.93 |
| Step A | 48 weeks | $49,556 | $1,906 | $23.83 | $35.75 | $24.88 |
| Step B | 48 weeks | $50,985 | $1,961 | $24.51 | $36.77 | $25.59 |
| Step C | 48 weeks | $52,859 | $2,033 | $25.41 | $38.12 | $26.54 |
| Step D | 48 weeks | $54,740 | $2,105 | $26.32 | $39.48 | $27.48 |
| Step E | 48 weeks | $56,617 | $2,178 | $27.22 | $40.83 | $28.42 |
| Step F | 48 weeks | $58,496 | $2,250 | $28.12 | $42.18 | $29.37 |
| Step G | 48 weeks | $60,369 | $2,322 | $29.02 | $43.53 | $30.31 |
| Step H | 48 weeks | $62,248 | $2,394 | $29.93 | $44.90 | $31.25 |
| Step I | 48 weeks | $64,124 | $2,466 | $30.83 | $46.25 | $32.19 |
| Step J | 48 weeks | $66,003 | $2,539 | $31.73 | $47.60 | $33.13 |
| Step K | 48 weeks | $67,881 | $2,611 | $32.64 | $48.96 | $34.08 |
| Step L | 48 weeks | $69,758 | $2,683 | $33.54 | $50.31 | $35.02 |
| Step M | 48 weeks | $71,637 | $2,755 | $34.44 | $51.66 | $35.96 |
| Step N | 48 weeks | $73,515 | $2,828 | $35.34 | $53.01 | $36.91 |
| Step O | 48 weeks | $75,392 | $2,900 | $36.25 | $54.38 | $37.85 |
| Step P | Top step | $77,267 | $2,972 | $37.15 | $55.73 | $38.79 |
Full-time flexible (FTF) rates (effective September 6, 2025)
| Grade | Weeks | Annual | Bi-weekly | Hourly | Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 4 | 48 weeks | $44,132 | $1,697 | $21.22 | $31.83 |
| Grade 5 | 48 weeks | $45,800 | $1,762 | $22.02 | $33.03 |
Mail handler assistant (MHA) hourly rates (effective November 16, 2024)
| Grade | Step A | Step B (after 26 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| MHA grade 4 | $19.02 | $19.52 |
| MHA grade 5 | $20.01 | $20.51 |
USPS Mail Handler pay in numbers
- Table 1 (career appointments before February 15, 2013): grade 4 runs from $52,854 to $76,070 and grade 5 from $54,642 to $77,267.
- Table 2 (on or after February 15, 2013): grade 4 runs from $46,023 to $76,070 and grade 5 from $47,663 to $77,267, with 48 weeks at every step.
- Table 1 waits run from 88 weeks at steps AA to B down to 24 weeks at steps N and O.
- An MHA is paid $19.02 (grade 4) or $20.01 (grade 5) an hour, rising $0.50 after 26 weeks.
- The September 6, 2025 COLA ($790) was the last of the contract's six COLAs.
Raises and COLAs under this agreement
- November 19, 2022: General wage increase 1.3%
- March 11, 2023: COLA $208 a year
- August 26, 2023: COLA $978 a year
- November 18, 2023: General wage increase 1.3%
- March 9, 2024: COLA $353 a year
- September 7, 2024: COLA $978 a year
- November 16, 2024: General wage increase 1.3%
- March 8, 2025: COLA $416 a year
- September 6, 2025: COLA $790 a year, the last of six (table shown includes it)
USPS Mail Handler Pay Scale questions
What is the USPS mail handler pay scale in 2026?
The wage chart in force is the one effective September 6, 2025. Table 1 pays grade 4 mail handlers $52,854 to $76,070 a year and grade 5 $54,642 to $77,267; Table 2 pays grade 4 $46,023 to $76,070 and grade 5 $47,663 to $77,267. NPMHU has not issued a newer chart.
Why has the mail handler wage chart not changed since 2025?
The 2022-2025 National Agreement ended on September 20, 2025 without a successor, and the parties extended negotiations. NPMHU declared impasse on June 5, 2026 and, in Contract Update #16 of August 12, 2026, said it had initiated interest arbitration under Section 1207(c) of the Postal Reorganization Act, which will set the terms of the new agreement. NPMHU expects the process to take several months, and no award had been reported when this page was checked. Until a new agreement sets raises, the September 2025 chart stays in force.
Which table am I on, Table 1 or Table 2?
Career mail handlers appointed before February 15, 2013 are on Table 1; those appointed on or after February 15, 2013 are on Table 2. A full-time flexible mail handler moves to Table 2 step AA after 48 weeks unless converted to full-time regular sooner.
How long between mail handler steps?
On Table 1 the wait is 88 weeks at steps AA, A and B, 44 weeks at steps C to I, 34 weeks at J and K, 26 weeks at L and M, and 24 weeks at N and O. On Table 2 it is 48 weeks at every step from AA to O. Step P is the top of both tables.
What is the overtime rate for mail handlers?
Overtime is 1.5 times the straight-time rate for work after 8 hours on duty in a service day or 40 hours in a service week (Article 8.4). The agreement does not set a penalty overtime rate, so the calculator has only one overtime box. The chart prints an overtime rate for each step.
Will there be another mail handler COLA?
The September 6, 2025 COLA of $790 was the last of the six COLAs in the 2022-2025 agreement, based on the CPI-W change from its July 2022 value. Any later COLA depends on the successor agreement, so no COLA or projected table is shown.
How much do MHAs and full-time flexible mail handlers earn?
MHAs earn $19.02 at step A and $19.52 at step B in grade 4, and $20.01 and $20.51 in grade 5, moving to step B after 26 weeks (rates effective November 16, 2024). Full-time flexible mail handlers earn $44,132 in grade 4 and $45,800 in grade 5.
Estimates for planning. Your PS Form 50, your local union and your HR office are authoritative for your own pay. See how the USPS pay scales compare.