USPS Pay Raise 2025–2026: NALC Pay Chart, Back Pay Updates & APWU Pay Scale Explained

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As of July 2025, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) have finalised implementation dates for wage increases and retroactive back pay agreed to under the 2021–2024 collective bargaining agreement. With updated USPS pay scale 2025 and NALC pay chart 2025 now in effect, City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) and career letter carriers began seeing adjusted wages and scheduled USPS retroactive pay 2025 in their paychecks.

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As USPS moves into 2026, employees are also reviewing updated USPS pay periods 2026 schedules and the latest pay chart revisions to understand how these wage increases, COLA adjustments, and structured pay implementations continue to impact their earnings and long-term retirement planning.

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These changes are part of the broader USPS pay raise 2025 and include both updated wage rates and USPS retroactive pay 2025 for eligible employees.

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These adjustments are also tied to the USPS retroactive pay 2025, meaning CCAs and career carriers not only received updated hourly rates but also lump-sum back pay in their September 2025 paychecks.

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Latest USPS Pay Updates for 2026

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As of March 2026, the latest official USPS pay update includes a $250 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to letter carrier wages, marking the final phase of pay adjustments under the current NALC agreement. The updated NALC pay chart 2026 reflects all prior wage increases, step adjustments, and COLA changes implemented between 2023 and 2026.

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While there is no separate USPS pay raise 2026 announcement, these updates ensure that employee pay continues to align with inflation adjustments and previously negotiated increases. Employees can also refer to the USPS pay periods 2026 PDF to track payroll cycles and better plan around salary distributions and retirement contributions.

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Wage Increases for CCAs: Updates as per 2025 and Ongoing Impact in 2026

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The Postal Service implemented the following CCA wage increases under the current NALC agreement:

• Effective April 20, 2024: Additional general wage increase for CCAs
• Effective June 8, 2024: Adjustments based on pay table changes
• Effective July 20, 2024: COLA applied to CCA hourly rates
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These increases were reflected in paychecks starting August 10, 2025, covering Pay Period 17 (July 20–August 2).
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As of 2026, these wage adjustments continue to form the base pay structure for CCAs, with updated NALC pay charts incorporating all prior increases and cost-of-living adjustments. While no separate CCA wage increase has been announced specifically for 2026, the latest COLA updates and pay chart revisions ensure that earnings remain aligned with previously negotiated increases and inflation-based adjustments.

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New USPS pay changes may impact your High-3 and pension forecast Speak with a federal retirement specialist today before your next service year closes.

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CCA Pay Table Changes:

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Note: These updated figures are reflected in the official NALC pay chart 2025, which outlines wage progression for CCAs and career carriers by step and pay level. As of 2026, these pay rates continue to reflect the latest NALC pay scale 2026 updates, incorporating all previously implemented wage increases and COLA adjustments.

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NALC Back Pay 2025: Who’s Eligible and When Will It Be Paid?

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The USPS has confirmed that eligible employees will receive retroactive back pay for wage increases tied to:

• April 2024 wage adjustments
  
  
• June 2024 pay table restructuring
  
  
• COLAs implemented through July 2024
  
  

According to NALC, back pay was issued in late September 2025 following full pay period reconciliations and payroll adjustments. This USPS retroactive pay 2025 applied to both CCAs and career carriers, with payments reflected through the USPS ePayroll portal after Pay Period 19-2025 was processed.

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As of 2026, most eligible employees have already received their retroactive payments, and any remaining discrepancies can be verified through official USPS payroll systems or by contacting local HR representatives.

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Eligible employees include:

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All active CCAs and career city carriers employed during the applicable wage periods. Former employees who separated after April 2024 may also receive back pay and should contact local HR units for details.

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Download the Updated NALC Pay Chart 2025

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You can access the official NALC pay charts below to review updated USPS pay scales, step levels, and wage adjustments for both CCAs and career letter carriers:

• NALC pay chart 2025 (PDF)
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• NALC pay chart 2026 (latest update PDF)
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• APWU pay scale 2026 (official PDF)
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The NALC pay chart 2025 reflects the wage increases effective June 14, 2025, including updated base pay rates and technician differentials under the NALC agreement.

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The latest NALC pay chart released in March 2026 incorporates all previously implemented wage increases, step progression, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), ensuring that USPS employee pay remains aligned with negotiated agreements and inflation-based updates.

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These official documents are published by NALC and APWU and serve as the most reliable source for verifying USPS pay scale changes, comparing yearly updates, and understanding how salary structures evolve over time.

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USPS Pay Scale 2025 for Career Employees

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The USPS pay scale 2025 has also been updated for career employees, reflecting annual COLAs, step increases, and scheduled raises under the NALC agreement. COLAs and scheduled raises.

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These changes will be incorporated into Pay Period 17 paychecks and may vary slightly by location, seniority, and job title. As of 2026, these rates continue to reflect the latest official pay chart updates.

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These salary updates are part of a broader USPS pay structure that varies by role and level. For example, the Level 17 USPS pay scale shows how compensation increases across higher-grade positions, while comparing it with UPS pension plans and retirement benefits gives a useful perspective on how federal and private-sector compensation differ over time.

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NALC Pay Chart and Workforce Stats

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According to USPS data, as of October 2024:

• The TSP held $947 billion in investments.
  
  
• $68 billion was invested in Roth status.
  
  
• Nearly 7.2 million USPS accounts are active, with 2.7 million holding Roth investments.
  
  
• Among the 4.1 million FERS participants, the average Roth balance is approximately $32,000.
  
  

This underscores the growing role of Roth contributions in long-term retirement planning for federal postal employees.

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Why the Delay in Implementation?

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Wage adjustments and back pay issuance were delayed due to:

• Finalising arbitration decisions and collective bargaining resolutions.
  
  
• System updates and accurate payroll audits to ensure fair and complete distributions.
  
  

NALC and USPS prioritised accuracy to avoid errors, especially for separated employees and part-time carriers.

One of the main reasons for the delay was ensuring accuracy in processing the USPS retroactive pay 2025, especially for separated employees and part-time carriers.

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As of 2026, most of these delays have been resolved, with payroll systems fully updated to reflect accurate wage adjustments and retroactive payments.

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USPS Pay Updates 2025 vs 2026: What Has Changed?

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Comparison with APWU Pay Scale 2025

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Though this announcement centres on NALC, American Postal Workers Union (APWU) members also received wage increases under their contract. Pay scales vary by union agreement and may follow a separate implementation timeline.

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These rates help APWU members benchmark their earnings alongside NALC counterparts. While this article highlights the NALC pay chart 2025, APWU members also follow their own negotiated APWU pay scale 2025, which differs by grade and step. In 2026, APWU pay structures continue to reflect previously negotiated increases, with updated pay charts incorporating the most recent COLA adjustments.

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APWU COLA Update – July 2025

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The July 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), under the 2024–2027 APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement, has been confirmed:

• Career APWU employees will receive a +$0.39 per hour increase.
• This equals about $811 annually for full-time, career workers.
• Pay increases will appear in September 26, 2025 paychecks (Pay Period 19-2025).
• Postal Support Employees (PSEs) are not eligible for COLAs, but they will receive a general wage increase later in 2025.

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The Postal Service has also provided a tentative date for the November 2024 general wage increase and the January 2025 COLA:

• Effective Pay Period 19-2025 (begins August 23, 2025).
• Reflected in September 12, 2025 paychecks.
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Note: This COLA is not retroactive. Retroactive payments will cover the period November 16, 2024 through August 22, 2025, but USPS has not yet provided an official date for when those payments will be issued.
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Understanding how COLAs and back pay affect your retirement calculations is critical. Speak with a federal retirement advisor today to see how these updates could change your High-3 average and pension outlook.

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The updates are aligned with the USPS APWU tentative agreement, which outlines ongoing wage adjustments, COLA changes, and contract terms for postal employees.

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What USPS Workers Should Do Now:

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1. Check ePayroll Portals for updates to current hourly rates and back pay statements.

2. Contact Your Union Rep if you believe you’re missing payments.

3. Track Pay Periods: Stay aligned with Pay Period 17 forward for wage adjustments.

4. Review USPS Pay Periods 2026: Understanding the updated pay schedule helps ensure all wage adjustments and earnings are accurately reflected.

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Conclusion: A Win for Letter Carriers, With More to Come

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The USPS pay raise 2025 marked a significant step forward for NALC members, especially CCAs awaiting long-overdue wage adjustments. While implementation delays were frustrating, the confirmed back pay and structured increases reflect the stability of USPS collective bargaining.

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As of 2026, these updates continue to shape USPS pay structures, with current pay charts reflecting all prior increases and COLA adjustments. For employees evaluating how these changes impact long-term planning, Federal Pension Advisors serves as a trusted resource for understanding federal retirement benefits and pension strategies.

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FAQ

How much do USPS carriers make in 2025?

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Exact amounts can be verified in the NALC pay chart 2025, which reflects the USPS pay raise 2025.

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Will the USPS offer early retirement in 2025?

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Eligibility for optional or VER retirement, with incentive, will be based exclusively on an April 30, 2025, effective date.

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Will the USPS health benefits change in 2025?

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Yes, USPS health benefits will change significantly in 2025 due to the implementation of the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

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What is the new contract for USPS 2025?

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The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining contract, covering employees nationwide.

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Will USPS retroactive pay 2025 be automatic?

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Yes. Eligible employees will automatically receive USPS retroactive pay 2025 in September, though separated employees may need to contact HR.”

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Will USPS employees receive another pay raise in 2026?

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Currently, there is no confirmed new USPS pay raise for 2026. Pay updates in 2026 mainly reflect the continuation of previously agreed wage increases and COLA adjustments under the existing NALC agreement.

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What is the latest USPS pay update for 2026?

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As of 2026, there is no new standalone USPS pay raise announcement. However, a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) has been applied, and the latest NALC pay chart reflects all previously implemented wage increases, step adjustments, and negotiated updates.

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