{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "dataset_id": "oews-occupation-v1",
  "version": "v1",
  "occupation": {
    "soc_code": "43-5053",
    "soc_title": "Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators",
    "slug": "postal-service-mail-sorters-processors-and-processing-machine-operators-43-5053",
    "major_group": "43-0000 Office and Administrative Support Occupations"
  },
  "headline": {
    "annual_median_wage_usd": 58470,
    "annual_mean_wage_usd": 59430,
    "employment_total": 105200,
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "wages": {
    "annual": {
      "p10": 45530,
      "p25": 48880,
      "median": 58470,
      "p75": 75030,
      "p90": 75280,
      "mean": 59430,
      "ratio_90_to_10": 1.65
    },
    "hourly": {
      "p10": 21.89,
      "p25": 23.5,
      "median": 28.11,
      "p75": 36.07,
      "p90": 36.19,
      "mean": 28.57
    }
  },
  "employment": {
    "total": 105200,
    "share_of_us_employment_pct": 0.07,
    "source": {
      "name": "BLS OEWS — National employment estimate",
      "url": "https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000043505301",
      "series_id": "OEUN000000000000043505301",
      "as_of": "2025-05-31"
    }
  },
  "wages_source": {
    "name": "BLS OEWS — National wage estimates",
    "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/",
    "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
    "series_ids": {
      "annual_median": "OEUN000000000000043505313",
      "annual_mean": "OEUN000000000000043505304",
      "annual_p10": "OEUN000000000000043505311",
      "annual_p25": "OEUN000000000000043505312",
      "annual_p75": "OEUN000000000000043505314",
      "annual_p90": "OEUN000000000000043505315"
    },
    "as_of": "2025-05-31"
  },
  "top_paying_msas": [],
  "top_employing_msas": [],
  "verdict": "The 90/10 ratio for Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators is 1.65× — this is a compressed-comp occupation where the wage band is narrow. Top decile earns $75,280, bottom decile $45,530. In flat-comp professions, title and tenure define the ceiling more than negotiation does. Push title, not pay.",
  "submitted_components": null,
  "methodology_url": "https://officeblues.net/methodology#oews-salaries",
  "fetched_at": "2026-05-25T02:53:52.141Z"
}