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COL-adjusted ranking

Best Cities for Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss by Take-Home Pay

The cities that pay Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss the most on paper aren't usually the best deals once rent and prices are factored in. Pittsburgh ranks first with a COL-adjusted equivalent of $106,454/year, better purchasing power than Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim's higher nominal pay of $113,430. The table below uses BLS OEWS May 2025 salary data and BEA Regional Price Parities.

Highest nominal pay

#1 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$113,430
#2 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$102,610
#3 New York-Newark-Jersey City$101,150

Best purchasing power

#1 Pittsburgh$106,454
#2 St. Louis$102,745
#3 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$99,877

Top 25 metros by purchasing power

Ranked by COL-adjusted salary. Metros with fewer than 100 employed postmasters and mail superintendentss excluded.

Rank
Metro
Nominal
COL-adj.
#1
Pittsburgh
15% rent burden
$100,780
$106,454
#2
St. Louis
15% rent burden
$97,700
$102,745
#3
$113,430
$99,877
#4
$102,610
$99,534
#5
$98,570
$98,511
#6
$101,130
$97,625
#7
$99,840
$97,357
#8
$101,150
$93,424
#9
$94,830
$90,469
#10
$101,150
$89,863
#11
$97,240
$89,309

COL-adjusted = nominal salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). Rent burden = annual 2BR FMR as % of nominal salary. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents.

Common questions

What does "COL-adjusted pay" mean for Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss?

COL-adjusted pay divides the BLS median salary by the BEA Regional Price Parity index (100 = national average). A salary of $113,430 in a city with RPP 120 has the same purchasing power as $94,525 at national average prices.

Why doesn't New York or San Francisco top this list?

Both cities pay above-average salaries, but rent and everyday costs eat most of that premium. A postmasters and mail superintendents in New York might earn 30% more but pay 60-80% more in rent. The net result is often less purchasing power than mid-cost metros.

How is purchasing power calculated?

Purchasing power equals nominal median salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). BEA's Regional Price Parities measure relative price levels across metro areas, updated annually from the National Income and Product Accounts.

What's the most affordable metro for Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss?

Pittsburgh has one of the lowest rent burdens for Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss in this dataset. HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom is $1,299/month, with a median salary of $100,780.

Where do Postmasters and Mail Superintendentss get paid the most in nominal terms?

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim pays the highest nominal median salary at $113,430/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. But check the COL-adjusted column before accepting any relocation offer.

National salary breakdown for Postmasters and Mail SuperintendentssView →How to become a postmasters and mail superintendentsGuide →Compare two cities side by sideCompare →