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How exposed to AI is a Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?

Of the 29 tasks O*NET lists for mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service, 2 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 24 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Insert OperatorInserter OperatorMail ClerkMail HandlerMail Machine OperatorMail ProcessorMail ReaderMail SorterPostal Clerk
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
29
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of 29
69k
people do this job in the US
51 of 51
least protected in office and admin

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

2
  • Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies
  • Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests

Only with software built on top

3
  • Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing
  • Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities
  • Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing

Cannot be sped up

24
  • Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines
  • 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
  • Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters
  • Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors
  • Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines
  • Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts
  • Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates
  • Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects
  • Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets
  • 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
  • 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
  • Clear jams in sortation equipment
  • Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools
  • 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
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.