With renewed national focus on the federal workforce—thanks in part to executive orders around workforce reductions, budget shifts, and discussions about the size of government—many are asking a seemingly simple question: Are USPS employees considered federal employees?
The answer isn’t straightforward. While USPS workers often share pay systems, retirement plans, and union representation similar to federal counterparts, they operate under a unique employment structure.
Let’s explore the key similarities, differences, and workforce stats that help clarify where USPS employees fit in the larger federal ecosystem.
Although the U.S. Postal Service is legally defined as an “independent establishment of the executive branch,” it operates as a quasi-governmental agency—meaning USPS is part of the federal government but has more operational autonomy than traditional federal agencies.
