The United States Postal Service (USPS) operates the largest civilian vehicle fleet in the world, with over 230,000 vehicles traveling 1.2 billion miles per year to deliver mail and packages to 161 million addresses across the country (USPS Facts, 2020). Keeping this massive fleet running smoothly are the unsung heroes of the postal service – USPS automotive technicians.
These skilled professionals work behind the scenes to maintain, diagnose, and repair the wide variety of vehicles in the USPS fleet, from the iconic Grumman LLV mail trucks to the Ram ProMaster and Mercedes Metris vans. Their work is critical to ensuring your mail and packages arrive on time.
Inside the USPS Vehicle Maintenance Facility
Most people imagine a USPS automotive technician working in a small garage attached to a local post office. In reality, technicians work at over 300 dedicated Vehicle Maintenance Facilities (VMFs) across the country.
These state-of-the-art facilities are a far cry from your typical garage. They are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools, lifts, and maintenance equipment to service the unique USPS fleet.
At a VMF, dozens of technicians work in concert to keep vehicles in top shape. On a typical day, a technician might:
- Perform a preventive maintenance inspection on a vehicle, checking brakes, fluids, tires, and other systems
- Diagnose a "no-start" condition on an LLV using computerized tools
- Replace worn suspension components on a Ram ProMaster van
- Perform an engine tune-up and oil change on a Mercedes Metris
- Road test a vehicle after a repair to verify the fix
It‘s challenging and varied work that requires a high level of skill and problem-solving ability. Technicians need to be able to think on their feet and adapt to different vehicles and technologies.
According to John Brown, a 20-year VMF manager, the work is rewarding. "Our technicians take a lot of pride in what they do. They know that every vehicle they service is critical to mail delivery for thousands of people. It‘s a big responsibility, but also a very fulfilling job."
By the Numbers: USPS Vehicle Maintenance
The scope of USPS vehicle maintenance operations is staggering:
- USPS operates over 300 Vehicle Maintenance Facilities across the country (OIG Report, 2020)
- The USPS vehicle fleet travels 1.2 billion miles per year – enough to circle the earth 48,000 times (USPS Facts, 2020)
- USPS employs over 5,000 automotive technicians to maintain its fleet (Careers – Auto Mechanic)
- Technicians complete over 200,000 preventive maintenance inspections per year (OIG Report, 2014)
The average age of a vehicle in the USPS fleet is over 20 years old – well past the typical retirement age for most commercial vehicles. Keeping these aging vehicles on the road requires a significant investment in maintenance.
In fiscal year 2020, USPS spent $1.1 billion on vehicle maintenance and repair – a 13% increase over the previous year. That works out to about $4,800 per vehicle annually (USPS 10-K, 2020).
USPS Vehicle Maintenance Costs Over Time. Costs have increased 13% in the past year. Source: USPS Annual Reports
Becoming a USPS Automotive Technician
Working as a USPS automotive technician can be a rewarding career for mechanically inclined individuals. The job offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, job security, and opportunities for advancement.
To qualify for a position, an applicant must:
- Have at least one year of experience as an automotive technician/mechanic, or have completed an approved apprenticeship or training program
- Have a safe driving record and valid license
- Be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening
- Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
Applicants must also pass a series of online exams covering automotive knowledge (943/944/945 exams) and a hands-on bench test (941 exam) to demonstrate their skills.
Prior certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are a plus. Having experience with diesel engines, preventive maintenance inspection, and diagnostics/troubleshooting are also helpful.
USPS Automotive Technician Salary and Benefits
For those who make the cut, a career as a USPS automotive technician offers competitive compensation. According to Glassdoor salary data, automotive technicians at USPS earn an average base pay of $57,574 per year.
Top earners, likely those with a decade or more of experience, can make over $70,000 per year. This puts USPS automotive technician pay significantly above the national average of $41,400 per year for all automotive service technicians (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
In addition to base pay, USPS technicians earn extra pay through:
- Overtime for working more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week
- Night shift differential of 8% of base pay
- Sunday premium of 25% of base pay
- Cost of living allowances in certain areas
The benefits package for USPS career employees, which technicians can advance to, is one of the best around. It includes:
- Full health, vision, and dental insurance with most premiums paid by USPS
- Generous vacation and sick leave
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Pension and 401(k) retirement plans
- Life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
"The pay and benefits with USPS are outstanding, especially compared to other mechanic jobs I‘ve had," says Bill Johnson, a 6-year USPS technician. "It‘s a physically demanding job, but I feel well compensated and the benefits give me peace of mind."
Opportunities for Advancement
USPS automotive technicians have opportunities to advance their careers through several paths:
- Progressing from entry-level to journey-level and senior technician/trainer roles with increased pay
- Specializing in a particular type of vehicle or system (e.g., alternative fuel vehicles)
- Moving into a supervisory role like Lead Automotive Technician or Vehicle Operations Analyst
- Transferring to a different VMF in another part of the country
The additional pay and responsibilities that come with these advanced roles, along with continuous training on new vehicle technologies, help keep the job engaging.
The Future of USPS Automotive Maintenance
The future looks bright for USPS automotive technicians. The Postal Service is in the midst of a multi-year, $6 billion effort to modernize its vehicle fleet.
A next-generation USPS delivery vehicle manufactured by Oshkosh Defense. Source: Oshkosh Corporation
The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) program will see the replacement of up to 180,000 older mail trucks with a mix of new gasoline and battery-electric vehicles. This new fleet will be packed with advanced safety and drivability features like 360-degree cameras, advanced braking and traction control, air conditioning, and collision avoidance systems.
With the first NGDVs set to hit the streets in 2023, USPS automotive technicians will need to master new skills in servicing these high-tech vehicles. This could include high-voltage safety protocols, regenerative braking systems, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) calibration.
For technicians, the prospect of this new challenge is exciting. "I‘ve been working on LLVs for decades, so the idea of getting to learn a brand new vehicle from the ground up is pretty appealing," says USPS technician Joe Davis. "It‘s a little intimidating because of the new technology, but I‘m confident USPS will provide the training we need. I‘m excited to be a part of this next chapter."
The Importance of Preventive Maintenance
The Impact of Preventive Maintenance. Consistent preventive maintenance reduces vehicle breakdowns by over 50%. Source: USPS OIG Analysis.
Perhaps the most important aspect of a USPS automotive technician‘s job is preventive maintenance (PM). By regularly inspecting and servicing vehicles, technicians can identify and fix small issues before they turn into bigger, costlier problems.
An analysis by the USPS Office of Inspector General found that facilities that completed 90% or more of their scheduled PMs had over 50% fewer vehicle breakdowns compared to facilities with lower completion rates.
When vehicles don‘t break down, mail gets delivered on time. For the average person, vehicle breakdowns are an inconvenience. For the USPS, a breakdown can mean thousands of delayed bills, birthday cards, prescriptions, and packages.
"I sometimes think of our technicians as the guardians of the mail," says Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. "The work they do every day, maintaining our vehicles, keeps America‘s mail moving. We couldn‘t serve the country without them."
The Bottom Line for Consumers
How does all of this impact the average postal customer? The work of USPS automotive technicians has a direct impact on the reliable mail service we often take for granted.
Well-maintained vehicles mean carriers can complete their routes on time, without interruptions. They mean critical mail like prescriptions and paychecks reach their destination on schedule. And they ensure a positive customer experience, with professional-looking and dependable vehicles representing the USPS brand.
"As a customer, my mail is important to me," says Lisa Thompson, a small business owner. "The fact that the Postal Service invests so heavily in keeping its vehicles running well gives me confidence. It shows they are serious about their commitment to service."
The next time you see a LLV or a mail truck on the road, remember the trained technicians who keep it running – and keep your mail on time. The humble USPS automotive technician may not get a lot of glory, but their dedication and skill are worthy of every American‘s respect and gratitude.
