Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Use hand or mail handling machines to time stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
AI Impact Summary
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 46/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 93% of all analyzed occupations. Of 29 analyzed tasks, 11 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
29 tasks analyzed
Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates.
Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets.
Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes.
Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels.
Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests.
Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools.
Clear jams in sortation equipment.
Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.
Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges.
Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions.
Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines.
Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail.
Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary.
Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail.
Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 3% | |
| Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 2% | |
| Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 5% | |
| Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 3% | |
| Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes. | 54.47Observed | 71.0% | 4% | |
| Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 4% | |
| Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies. | 80Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Clear jams in sortation equipment. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 3% | |
| Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 2% | |
| Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 2% | |
| Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 4% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 24.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$38,150
per year
Mean Wage
$40,200
per year
Employment
63K
workers
Wage Range
$29,460 - $52,150
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsShoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
26%Median salary: $35,950
Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
32%Median salary: $47,460
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
37%Median salary: $39,820
Higher risk than 71% of other occupations
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
40%Median salary: $47,260
Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Sewing Machine Operators
43%Median salary: $36,000
Higher risk than 89% of other occupations
Team Assemblers
44%Higher risk than 89% of other occupations
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
46%Median salary: $46,390
Higher risk than 92% of other occupations
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
46%Median salary: $56,530
Higher risk than 94% of other occupations
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
47%Median salary: $40,900
Higher risk than 95% of other occupations
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
51%Median salary: $43,190
Higher risk than 97% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change