On March 11, 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the February 2026 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Based on this release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will decrease 2.0¢ to 95.0¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective April 4, 2026 (Pay Period 09-2026).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective April 4 (Pay Period 2026-09), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will decrease to 95.0¢ per mile, or a minimum of $38.00 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance
Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.5, will receive EMA of 95.0¢ per mile or $10.10 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.
This was the third opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2024-2027 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the May 2026 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and will be effective the second full pay period after release of that index.
The full EMA schedules will be posted on the Rural Carrier EMA Rate Schedule page when available.
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