Missouri Mailman Shows $100K+ Paycheck to Fill Jobs

When Lukas posted his paycheck online, he wasn't bragging. He was trying to solve a problem that affects millions of Americans: not enough mail carriers to deliver the mail.

The Missouri mailman shared a screenshot showing he takes home $4,423 every two weeks, which adds up to over $100,000 a year. His goal was simple: show people that postal work pays better than they think and help fill the shortage that's delaying mail delivery across the country.

Lukas works about 23 hours of overtime per pay period because his post office is so short-staffed. He's the first to admit he's working too much, which is exactly why he's recruiting on social media.

The median salary for a USPS mail carrier is $66,000 a year, according to Glassdoor, with a typical range between $55,000 and $81,000 before overtime. Carriers also get health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement packages, up to 15 days of leave, and 11 paid holidays.

Those numbers surprised many viewers who assumed postal work was low-paying. One commenter pointed out that Lukas makes $25 an hour for regular time and $38 for overtime, which is far above the $7.25 minimum wage in most states.

But the job isn't easy, especially when starting out. One five-year veteran commented that the work was tough at first but became "a BREEZE" once they learned the ropes and earned regular status.

Others shared warnings about the demanding schedule. A former worker said they spent most of their twenties working 12-hour days, seven days a week, with little work-life balance.

The postal worker shortage is real and growing. Many current carriers are nearing retirement, and rural areas are hit especially hard by staffing gaps.

Why This Inspires

Lukas could have kept his head down and just done his job. Instead, he chose transparency to help both his coworkers and his community. By sharing real numbers instead of letting assumptions spread, he's showing that some of the most essential jobs in our neighborhoods offer stability, benefits, and solid pay. His honesty is opening doors for people who might never have considered postal work and helping ensure our mail keeps moving.

The post office is actively hiring nationwide, and positions are often recession-proof with strong union support.