Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks; and other duties related to mail handling within the postal service.
U.S. Workers
111,930
Median Salary
$56,530
10-Year Growth
-8.4%
Annual Openings
7,800
Typical entry: No formal educational credential
17 of 17 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
AI: Fully automatable - Directing items according to established routing schemes is algorithmic and can be fully automated via software, keyboards, or voice-recognition systems.
Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
AI: Fully automatable - Bundling, labeling, and routing sorted mail are standard mechanical and software-driven processes that can be fully automated in modern facilities.
Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
AI: Fully automatable - Operating scanning, OCR, and barcode-sorting equipment is already largely computer-controlled and can be managed by automated systems.
Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
AI: Fully automatable - High-speed OCR-driven sorting equipment and robotic pick-and-place systems can accurately route incoming mail into correct boxes or pigeonholes in modern facilities.
Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting.
AI: Fully automatable - Mechanized bag dumpers and automated feeders that dump sacks onto conveyors are already deployed in many mail processing plants and can be fully automated.
Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
AI: Fully automatable - Searching directories and resolving redirected addresses is straightforward for AI systems given access to digital databases and OCR outputs.
Weigh articles to determine required postage.
AI: Fully automatable - Electronic scales integrated with postal software fully automate weighing and postage determination.
Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
AI: Fully automatable - Stamp cancellation is commonly handled by automatic machines or simple actuators, so the manual cancellation action can be fully automated.
Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
AI: Partial - OCR and image-analysis can verify many addresses, postage, and item condition, but edge cases and nuanced judgments still necessitate human review.
Clear jams in sorting equipment.
AI: Partial - AI and sensors can detect jams and guide diagnostics, but physical clearing and some mechanical interventions still require human technicians.
Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
AI: Partial - Autonomous forklifts and AMRs can move containers in structured facilities, but variability, safety, and integration across diverse postal sites mean human oversight is still often required.
Open and label mail containers.
AI: Partial - Robotic labeling is reliable and some containers can be opened by machines, but diverse container types and unpredictable jams make full automation incomplete.
Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
AI: Partial - Automated loading/unloading systems and robotic arms can handle many tasks, but variable truck geometries, heavy lifts, and safety considerations keep humans involved in many contexts.
Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
AI: Partial - Sorting odd-sized, previously unsortable, or specially handled items requires dexterous manipulation and situational judgment that is only partially automatable with current robotics and AI.
Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
AI: Partial - Rewrapping soiled or damaged parcels requires delicate, flexible manipulation and judgment about repair methods and materials, so robots can assist but not fully replace humans yet.
Train new workers.
AI: Partial - AI can provide training modules, simulations, and standardized instruction, but on-the-job mentoring, tacit knowledge transfer, and interpersonal coaching still require human trainers.
Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
AI: Partial - AI can automate paperwork, scanning, and preliminary checks for incoming mail containers but cannot reliably perform the physical handling and complex on-site inspections in all environments.