Correspondence clerks
SOC Code: 43-4021
Correspondence clerks carries a 72% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $46,740 and -5.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 6,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 72% AI exposure, Correspondence clerks sits 35 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 98% of them. It is one of just 21 occupations above the 70% high-exposure line.
Where Correspondence clerks sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Correspondence clerks has ai exposure of 72%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Correspondence clerks vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Correspondence clerks is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Correspondence clerks (SOC 43-4021) carries an AI exposure score of 72%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score above 70% signals that the majority of core duties are already technically automatable, workers in these roles face the steepest near-term displacement pressure.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 6,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -5.6% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $46,740, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Correspondence clerks. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Ensure that money collected is properly recorded and secured.
- 2. Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
- 3. Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers' concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
- 4. Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary.
- 5. Prepare documents and correspondence, such as damage claims, credit and billing inquiries, invoices, and service complaints.
- 6. Process orders for goods requested in correspondence.
- 7. Compile data from records to prepare periodic reports.
- 8. Compose letters in reply to correspondence concerning such items as requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit information requests, delinquent accounts, incorrect billing, or unsatisfactory service.
- 9. Present clear and concise explanations of governing rules and regulations.
- 10. Review correspondence for format and typographical accuracy, assemble the information into a prescribed form with the correct number of copies, and submit it to an authorized official for signature.
Key Skills Required
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Administrative
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Correspondence clerks?
Correspondence clerks has an AI exposure score of 72%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Many tasks in this role involve routine data processing and pattern recognition that current AI systems can perform.
What is the job outlook for Correspondence clerks?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Correspondence clerks is projected to decline by 5.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 6,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Correspondence clerks?
Key skills for Correspondence clerks include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Correspondence clerks earn?
The median annual wage for Correspondence clerks is $46,740, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Correspondence clerks?
The typical entry-level education for Correspondence clerks is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Correspondence clerks?
Correspondence clerks roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).