On June 11, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the May 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) which established the Private Transportation Index at 277.131, an increase from the February 2025 Index of 274.854. Therefore, based on the May 2025 CPI-W release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for rural carriers will increase 0.5¢ to 97.0¢ per mile. This EMA rate will be effective June 28, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-09).
Rural Carriers
In accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.G.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective June 28, 2025 (Pay Period 2025-15), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will increase to 97.0¢ per mile, or a minimum of $38.80 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 97.0¢ per mile or $10.30 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 thirteenth opportunity for an EMA adjustment under the terms of the 2021-2024 USPS/NRLCA National Agreement. The next quarterly adjustment will occur after the release of the August 2025 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.
