Postmaster (or Postmistress) refers to the head of an individual post office. A post office is a facility authorized by a Postal system for the posting receipt sorting handling transmission or delivery of Mail. When a postmaster is responsible for an entire mail distribution organization (usually sponsored by a national government), the title of Postmaster General is commonly used.

Responsibilities of a postmaster typically include management of a centralized mail distribution facility, establishment of letter carrier routes, supervision of letter carriers and clerks, and enforcement of the organization's rules and procedures. For the electronic mail software see GNU Mailman. "Postman" redirects here

The level of pay is based on deliveries and revenue of the post office. Levels are from EAS (Executive and Administrative Service) 11 through 26. Smaller part time post offices are EP levels 51-55. Larger metropolitan post offices are PCES (Postal Career Executive Service).

Many Postmasters are members of a management organization which consults with USPS for compensation and policy. The two management organizations are NAPUS (National Association of Postmasters of the United States) http://www.napus.org which has approximately 80% of Postmasters as members and The League of Postmasters http://www.postmasters.org, which is a smaller group. Some Postmasters are members of both organizations.

Each post office facility has a Postmaster, whether there are hundreds of employees or if there is just one (the postmaster himself or herself).

In the United States, women have served as postmasters since the Revolutionary War and even earlier, under British rule. "Postmaster," regardless of the person's sex, has always been the official title for this position.

See also

• Postmaster General
  • United Kingdom Postmaster General
  • United States Postmaster General
• Mail carrier