Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Office and Administrative Support Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 43-5053.00
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). 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 perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.41
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
17 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (11.8%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 3 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 30.2) | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.43-5053.00 | 0.00000.0 |
Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.43-5053.00 | 0.00000.0 |
| Not observed on any surface — 12 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Clear jams in sorting equipment. | —0 |
Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling. | —0 |
Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines. | —0 |
Train new workers. | —0 |
Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes. | —0 |
Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail. | —0 |
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. | —0 |
Open and label mail containers. | —0 |
Rewrap soiled or broken parcels. | —0 |
Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains". | —0 |
Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations. | —0 |
Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand. | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.O*NET Task ID 8213 | 1.0 |
Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.O*NET Task ID 8220 | 1.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (14)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters. | Core |
| Clear jams in sorting equipment. | Core |
| Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling. | Core |
| Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment. | Supplemental |
| Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines. | Supplemental |
| Train new workers. | Supplemental |
| Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes. | Supplemental |
| Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail. | Supplemental |
| 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. | Supplemental |
| Open and label mail containers. | Supplemental |
| Rewrap soiled or broken parcels. | Supplemental |
| Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains". | Supplemental |
| Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations. | Supplemental |
| Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand. | Supplemental |
1.14/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clear jams in sorting equipment. | E0 none |
| Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| 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. | E2 structured facilities |
| Open and label mail containers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Rewrap soiled or broken parcels. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains". | E2 structured facilities |
| Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations. | E2 structured facilities |
| Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 101K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 96K
- Change (2025–35)
- -5.3%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $58,470
- Typical education needed for entry
- No formal educational credential
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92120 | 화물 분류원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 4412Mail Carriers and Sorting Clerks
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Mail carriers and sorting clerks perform sorting, recording, delivery and other duties in connection with mail services from post offices or related organizations, as well as from or within an establishment.
Tasks
- (a) performing mail-handling duties in public post offices or privately owned delivery establishments;
- (b) sorting and delivering mail to private houses and businesses;
- (c) providing delivery confirmation records when requested by the client;
- (d) sorting and keeping simple records of incoming and outgoing correspondence and dispatching outgoing mail in various establishments;
Example occupations
Mail clerk · Post carrier · Postman/woman
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- mail clerkESCO 4412.1This occupation is narrower
Mail clerks perform mail handling, sorting, recording and other duties in connection with mail services from post offices or related organisations. They keep records of the incoming and outgoing packages and letters in the establishment.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| M1603 | Facteur / Factrice | Related, not a match |
| M1618 | Agent / Agente de liaison courrier | Related, not a match |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 4221 | Empleados de servicios de correos (excepto empleados de mostrador) | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 51321 | Berufe für Post- und Zustelldienste - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 51322 | Berufe für Post- und Zustelldienste - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | 郵便事務員 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources