Postal service
NAICS Code: 491000
BLS projects Postal service to contract -4.5% through 2034 - 6.9 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 18% of them. It ranks among the contracting industries projected through 2034.
Where Postal service sits among all industries
Projected 2024-2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Where Postal service sits by projected growth
Projected employment change across tracked industries
-4.5% Top 82% higher than 18% of 291 industries
Industries, banded by projected growth
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more industries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source BLS Employment Projections · 2026-05-15
Contraction read
Signature: 40.5% mean employer AI exposure across 180 tracked public companies .
BLS projects contraction even though many public companies still map to this sector - read employer grades as residual corporate exposure, not proof the industry will keep the same staffing footprint.
NAICS 491000 · 605,700 workers (2024, ×1k) · source BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Employer AI grades are occupation-weighted scores from our SEC cohort, not automation predictions for every establishment in Postal service.
Public companies in this NAICS sector
NAICS sector 48-49 bucket (includes sibling industries). 180 companies scored · mean AI exposure 40.5%.
| Company | AI grade |
|---|---|
| Aes Corp | B |
| Alaska Air Group, Inc. | B |
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | B |
| Alliant Energy Corp | B |
| Ameren Corp | B |
| American Airlines Group Inc. | B |
| American Electric Power Co Inc | B |
| American States Water Co | B |
Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure from our employer corpus - not a claim that every establishment in Postal service shares the same risk. Source: SEC company metadata + O*NET-weighted scores · as of 2026-05-15.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Postal service (NAICS 491000) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications | 621,300 | -8.5% |
| Office administrative services | 619,200 | +5.9% |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 611,100 | +4.6% |
| Postal service | 605,700 | -4.5% |
| Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers | 594,100 | +3.0% |
| Plastics product manufacturing | 592,500 | +4.4% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Postal service?
As of 2024, the Postal service industry employs approximately 605,700 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Postal service growing or declining?
The Postal service industry is projected to decline by 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -27,500 jobs over the decade.
Which public companies sit near Postal service?
180 tracked public companies in NAICS sector 48-49 (sibling industries included). Sample names include Aes Corp, Alaska Air Group, Inc., Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.. Grades are occupation-weighted AI exposure scores, not company-specific automation forecasts.
How will AI affect the Postal service industry?
Among 180 tracked public companies tied to this industry's sector, the mean occupation-weighted AI exposure score is 40.5% (most common grade B). That is a staffing-pattern signal from our employer corpus, not a forecast for every firm in Postal service. Pair it with occupation-level AI exposure scores for role-specific risk.
Where to look next under contraction
What to do with this
Use Postal service's employment and exposure numbers above to look up individual employers and occupations, not just the industry aggregate.
- See how public employers in this and other industries rank nationwide by AI displacement risk. Employer AI risk rankings
- Browse individual occupations to see exposure and wage detail below the industry level. Browse all occupations
- Compare this industry's outlook against a specific occupation or employer using the interactive tool. Workforce comparison tool
Industry-level figures are aggregates; individual employer and occupation outcomes vary.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034; SEC employer metadata for AI grades Employment figures in thousands. Employer grades are occupation-weighted exposure scores, not firm automation forecasts