You probably don't think about the postmaster general united states until your birthday card from Grandma shows up three weeks late. Or when the price of a Forever stamp jumps again. It's one of those weird, ancient jobs that sounds like it belongs in a Dickens novel, but it actually controls a $80 billion logistics empire.
Honestly, the person in this seat has more impact on your daily life than half the people in the President's Cabinet. Yet, most of us have no clue how they get the job or what they actually do all day in that massive L'Enfant Plaza office in D.C.
The Myth of the "President's Choice"
Here is the big one. Everyone thinks the President of the United States just picks a buddy and says, "Hey, you're running the mail now."
That hasn't been true since 1971.
Before the Postal Reorganization Act, the postmaster general was a political plum. It was basically a "thank you" gift for the guy who managed the President's campaign. If you helped someone get into the White House, you got to run the Post Office and hand out jobs to your friends. It was called the "spoils system," and it was as messy as it sounds.
Today, the postmaster general united states is hired by a Board of Governors. Think of it like a corporate CEO being hired by a board of directors. The President appoints the Governors, and the Governors appoint the Postmaster General. This means the President can't actually fire the Postmaster General directly.
As of early 2026, the man in the hot seat is David "Dave" Steiner. He took over in July 2025, following the high-profile and often controversial tenure of Louis DeJoy. Steiner didn't come from the mailroom; he was the CEO of Waste Management and sat on the board of FedEx.
Why Does David Steiner Matter Right Now?
Steiner stepped into a whirlwind. By January 2026, the USPS is in the middle of its "Delivering for America" (DFA) plan—a 10-year strategy to stop the agency from hemorrhaging cash.
The goal? Financial sustainability.
The reality? It's complicated.
Steiner has been trying to balance the aggressive cost-cutting of the DeJoy era with a desperate need to win back public trust. Just this month, in January 2026, he made a move that shocked a lot of people: he decided not to raise stamp prices.
Usually, the USPS hikes prices like clockwork. But Steiner argued that we need to keep mail affordable to keep it relevant. It's a gamble. The Postal Service reported a net loss of over $9 billion in the last fiscal year. You've got to wonder how long they can hold the line on prices while gas and labor costs keep climbing.
The Shift to Packages
If you look at the numbers, the "mail" part of the Post Office is dying. Paper mail volume has plummeted by 110 billion pieces over the last two decades.
So, Steiner is betting the farm on packages. He's trying to turn the USPS into a high-tech shipping giant that can go toe-to-toe with Amazon and UPS.
- Network Overhaul: They are closing small, inefficient sorting centers and building massive "Regional Transportation and Processing Centers."
- New Partnerships: Interestingly, Steiner has been leveraging his old FedEx connections. The USPS is now working more closely with UPS and other private carriers to handle the "last mile"—that final stretch from the local post office to your front door.
- Safety Cracks Down: Just recently, Steiner announced a phase-out of unvetted contract truck drivers to beef up security and safety on the roads.
The Paycheck and the Power
People always ask: "Is the postmaster general a millionaire?"
Well, the base salary for the postmaster general united states is usually around **$303,460**. That makes them the second-highest-paid official in the federal government, trailing only the President ($400,000).
But it’s not just the salary. The role oversees more than 500,000 employees. That’s a bigger workforce than most Fortune 500 companies. When the PMG decides to change a delivery standard from two days to three, it affects every single household and business in America.
It's Not All Smooth Sailing in 2026
If you live in a rural area, you probably aren't a huge fan of the current postal strategy.
Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota has been a loud critic, pointing out that local newspapers and medications are taking weeks to arrive. The "optimization" that works for a hub like Atlanta often leaves places like Huron, South Dakota, in the dust.
Steiner’s challenge is the Universal Service Obligation. By law, the USPS has to deliver to everyone, regardless of how much it costs to get there. UPS can say, "No, it's too expensive to drive to that mountain cabin." The Postmaster General doesn't have that luxury.
Surprising Facts Most People Miss
- Ben Franklin was the first: He didn't just fly kites; he set up the foundation of the whole system in 1775.
- No Tax Dollars: This is the biggest misconception. The USPS generally does not receive tax money for its operations. It survives on the stamps and shipping labels you buy.
- The Pension Albatross: For years, the USPS was forced by a 2006 law to "pre-fund" retiree health benefits 75 years into the future. No other company or agency had to do this. It's why they looked so broke on paper for so long.
What This Means for You
Whether you love or hate the current direction of the Postal Service, the postmaster general united states is currently steering a massive ship through a very narrow strait.
If you're a small business owner, Steiner's "Ground Advantage" program is actually a decent win. It’s simplified the way small packages are priced. If you’re just someone who likes getting letters, the "no price hike" news for early 2026 is a rare bit of inflation relief.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the USPS in 2026:
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- Use the App: If you haven't signed up for Informed Delivery, do it. You get a grayscale image of your mail before it arrives. It's the best way to know if a check or a bill was actually delivered (or stolen).
- Check the Standards: "First Class" doesn't mean what it used to. Expect 3-5 days for cross-country mail. Don't send time-sensitive documents via regular mail; use Priority if you're on a deadline.
- Voter Prep: With 2026 being an election year, expect the Postmaster General to be under a microscope again regarding mail-in ballots. If you vote by mail, get your ballot in at least two weeks early to avoid any "optimization" delays.
The Post Office is 250 years old this year. It's survived the Pony Express, the Civil War, and the invention of the internet. Under David Steiner, it's trying to survive the age of Amazon. It's a brutal job, but somebody's gotta make sure those birthday cards eventually find their way home.