Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
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.
How AI Impacts Each Task
17 tasks analyzed
Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
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.
Clear jams in sorting equipment.
Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
Open and label mail containers.
Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
Train new workers.
Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting.
Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
Weigh articles to determine required postage.
Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 10% | |
| 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. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 10% | |
| Clear jams in sorting equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 10% | |
| Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 15% | |
| Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains". | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 5% | |
| Open and label mail containers. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Rewrap soiled or broken parcels. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Train new workers. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 3% | |
| Weigh articles to determine required postage. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 2% |
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.
Memorization 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.
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.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership 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.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis