Rural Carrier Associate

What is an RCA?

A Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) is a non-career substitute mail carrier for rural routes. RCAs cover for regular rural carriers on their days off, during vacations, and when routes need additional coverage. The biggest distinction from CCA: you need your own vehicle.

Pay and Benefits

• Starting pay: ~$20.38/hour (verify current rate on USPS website)
• EMA (Equipment Maintenance Allowance): You receive reimbursement for using your personal vehicle. This helps offset gas, maintenance, and wear on your car.
• Route evaluation: Rural routes are evaluated differently — you may be paid based on route evaluation rather than hourly for some days
• Benefits: Limited as non-career. Health insurance available after qualifying period. Full benefits come after conversion.

Vehicle Requirements

This is the #1 thing that catches people off guard. RCAs must provide their own vehicle for delivering mail. Your vehicle needs to meet certain requirements:

• Must be reliable — breakdowns mean the mail doesn't get delivered
• Right-hand drive vehicles are preferred (some RCAs buy them or convert their cars)
• Many RCAs drive from the right side of a regular car (it's legal)
• Vehicle must be insured and registered — you'll need commercial or special insurance in some states
• Wear and tear is significant — rural routes can be long with lots of stops
• EMA reimbursement helps but may not fully cover costs

Schedule

RCA schedules are less predictable than even CCA schedules. You work as a substitute:

• You cover the regular carrier's day off (typically one fixed day per week)
• You cover when the regular is on vacation, sick, or on leave
• Holiday coverage is expected
• Some weeks you may only work 1-2 days; other weeks 6 days
• During peak season (Nov-Dec), you'll likely work every day
• You may be asked to cover routes at neighboring offices (auxiliary assistance)

How to Apply

1. Go to the USPS eCareer portal (NOT jobs.usps.com — RCA is on the legacy portal)
2. Create an account and search for "Rural Carrier Associate" in your area
3. Complete the application with your full 7-year work history
4. Take the Virtual Entry Assessment (VEA) — exam code 477. Similar to the CCA exam: situational judgment, multiple choice, passing score 70+.
5. Wait for a conditional job offer
6. Pass background check, drug test, and driving record check
7. Complete orientation (3-5 days, paid)
8. On-the-job training / shadow days with experienced rural carriers

Conversion to Career

This is the hardest part about being an RCA. Conversion can take many years — significantly longer than CCA. You convert when a regular rural carrier retires, transfers, or a new route is created at your office. In small offices with young carriers, this could be 5-10+ years. Some RCAs transfer to other offices with upcoming retirements to speed things up.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Slightly higher starting pay than CCA
• More independence — rural routes are often solo delivery without as much management oversight
• Rural routes can be scenic and less stressful than city routes
• EMA reimbursement for vehicle use
• Union protection (NRLCA) after probation

Cons

• Must provide your own vehicle — significant expense
• Conversion to career can take many years (much longer than CCA)
• Inconsistent schedule and hours
• Vehicle wear and tear — rural routes are hard on your car
• May only get 1-2 days of work per week in slow periods
• Cannot transfer as a non-career employee

CCA vs RCA: Which Should You Choose?

• Choose CCA if: You don't have a reliable personal vehicle, want more consistent hours, and prefer a faster path to career status
• Choose RCA if: You have a reliable vehicle, prefer rural/less urban environments, want slightly higher starting pay, and don't mind a longer conversion timeline
• Consider both: You can apply to both simultaneously. Apply on jobs.usps.com for CCA and the eCareer portal for RCA.

Tips from Experience

• Before accepting an RCA position, calculate the true cost of using your vehicle. EMA helps but doesn't cover everything.
• Ask the postmaster how many regular carriers are near retirement — this directly affects your conversion timeline
• Consider a right-hand drive vehicle if you plan to stay long-term
• Network with regulars at your office — learn the routes, build relationships
• Keep your vehicle well-maintained. A breakdown means no work and potential discipline.