Postmasters and mail superintendents
SOC Code: 11-9131
Postmasters and mail superintendents carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $92,730 and -3.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 13,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 34% AI exposure, Postmasters and mail superintendents sits 3 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 43% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Postmasters and mail superintendents sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Postmasters and mail superintendents has ai exposure of 34%. 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.
Postmasters and mail superintendents vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Postmasters and mail superintendents 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
Postmasters and mail superintendents (SOC 11-9131) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, placing it in the Medium 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 below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 13,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -3.5% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $92,730, 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 Less than 5 years 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 Postmasters and mail superintendents. 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. Monitor employees' work schedules and attendance for payroll purposes.
- 2. Organize and supervise activities, such as the processing of incoming and outgoing mail.
- 3. Resolve customer complaints.
- 4. Prepare employee work schedules.
- 5. Direct and coordinate operational, management, and supportive services of one or a number of postal facilities.
- 6. Hire and train employees, and evaluate their performance.
- 7. Prepare and submit detailed and summary reports of post office activities to designated supervisors.
- 8. Select and train postmasters and managers of associate postal units.
- 9. Inform the public of available services, and of postal laws and regulations.
- 10. Negotiate labor disputes.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Time Management
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Negotiation
Knowledge Areas
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Postmasters and mail superintendents?
Postmasters and mail superintendents has an AI exposure score of 34%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Postmasters and mail superintendents?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Postmasters and mail superintendents is projected to decline by 3.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 13,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Postmasters and mail superintendents?
Key skills for Postmasters and mail superintendents include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Postmasters and mail superintendents earn?
The median annual wage for Postmasters and mail superintendents is $92,730, 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 Postmasters and mail superintendents?
The typical entry-level education for Postmasters and mail superintendents is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Postmasters and mail superintendents?
Postmasters and mail superintendents 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
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to 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).