AITakeover Tracker
37%medium risk

Postal Service Mail Carriers

Sort mail for delivery. Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot.

Higher risk than 71% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Postal Service Mail Carriers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 71% of all analyzed occupations. Of 22 analyzed tasks, 12 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)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingWritingSystems AnalysisActive LearningTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Postal Service Mail Carriers 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

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-4.7pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence

by Case Western Reserve University

32 hours$49/mo4.8Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Adaptability/Flexibility

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$3K/yr salary

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

Less than High School15%
High School Diploma78%
Post-Secondary Certificate7%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None76%
Up to 1 month8%
1-3 months2%
3-6 months11%
6 months - 1 year1%
1-2 years1%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None13%
Up to 1 month44%
1-3 months41%
3-6 months1%

How AI Impacts Each Task

22 tasks analyzed

Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.

Risk: 65.0%AI: 80EstimatedTime: 3%

Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.

Risk: 70.0%AI: 52EstimatedTime: 3%

Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.

Risk: 69.0%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 10%

Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 39%

Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 2%

Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 2%

Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 2%

Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.

Risk: 74.0%AI: 62EstimatedTime: 2%

Enter change of address orders into computers that process forwarding address stickers.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.

Risk: 70.0%AI: 52EstimatedTime: 2%

Maintain accurate records of deliveries.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.

Risk: 65.0%AI: 80EstimatedTime: 5%

Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 5%

Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 2%

Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.

Risk: 33.1%AI: 45.15ObservedTime: 4%

Sell stamps and money orders.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 2%

Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.

Risk: 78.0%AI: 72EstimatedTime: 2%

Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 22.4%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

DependabilityAttention to DetailIntegrityIndependenceSelf ControlStress ToleranceCooperationAdaptability/FlexibilityPersistenceAchievement/EffortConcern for OthersInitiative

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$57,490

per year

Mean Wage

$59,880

per year

Employment

336K

workers

Wage Range

$42,390 - $76,880

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$42,390Median: $57,490$76,880
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

27%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $48,350

Higher risk than 25% of other occupations

Baggage Porters and Bellhops

29%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $36,020

Higher risk than 34% of other occupations

Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers

36%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $44,140

Higher risk than 70% of other occupations

Security Guards

38%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $38,370

Higher risk than 76% of other occupations

Couriers and Messengers

39%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $38,340

Higher risk than 77% of other occupations

Parking Enforcement Workers

43%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $47,150

Higher risk than 87% of other occupations

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

46%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $38,150

Higher risk than 93% of other occupations

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

46%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $56,530

Higher risk than 94% of other occupations

Postal Service Clerks

48%
Medium Risk

Median salary: $61,630

Higher risk than 96% of other occupations

Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks

51%
High Risk

Median salary: $43,190

Higher risk than 97% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Advertising and Promotions Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 43% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

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Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Postal Service Mail Carriers 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.

  • Memorization

    Memorization 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.

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.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Coordination

    Coordination 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.

  • 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.

  • Writing

    Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Systems Analysis

    Systems Analysis 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

-7.2

overall change

Checking for existing plan...