Report: US Mailing Industry Remains Economic Powerhouse
The Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA) Foundation’s Institute for Postal Studies is releasing its 2023 U.S. Mailing Industry Economic Job Study, which reveals overall industry impact remains strong thanks to growth in e-commerce driven parcel delivery.
In 2022, the industry accounted for approximately 7.9 million jobs and $1.9 trillion in sales revenue. This includes employment at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), private delivery companies, printers, publishers, packaging manufacturers, and paper manufacturers that rely on the Postal Service as a supply chain partner.
Key U.S. mailing industry findings include:
- 7.9 million jobs represent 5% of the country’s total civilian labor force
- $1.9 trillion in sales revenue accounts for 4.1% of U.S. total output
- Overall jobs increased 8% from 2018 to 2022 due to more packaged products being delivered through the mail stream
- From 2018 to 2022, jobs associated with traditional mail (which continues to provide the majority of USPS volume and revenue) dropped by 7%, totaling a loss of 409,400 jobs, whereas packaging jobs grew by 65% or almost 1 million jobs.
- Private sector delivery (UPS, FedEx, last mile delivery services, etc.) has grown 57% since 2018 due to parcel delivery, which accelerated during the pandemic thanks to online shopping and remote working
“The U.S. mailing industry is a critical component of the modern American economy and a part of every community.
We believe postal reforms are needed to ensure the U.S. Postal Service and mailing industry remain viable. While package growth and increasing competition are good news, mail related jobs and revenue are declining and at greater risk. Ensuring predictable and affordable postage rates for mailers is one step that will encourage stability in the mailing industry. Rate stability will encourage consumers and businesses to continue to mail and provide access to the millions of Americans that depend on an affordable and reliable USPS,” said Marie Clarke, EMA President.
“It’s clear that the mailing industry is a key economic driver, which is even more reason to protect the U.S. Postal Service and its ability to keep delivering,” said former Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.), executive director of Keep US Posted, a nonprofit advocacy group that opposes postage rate increases and efforts to slow the mail. “USPS must do a better job of protecting its traditional mail business, which is its most important asset and a critical service for the American people. Traditional mail still accounts for the majority of volume and revenue for USPS, and its market share for packages is not increasing enough to make up for declines. USPS should work on stabilizing its traditional mail business and retaining customers, instead of continuing to cannibalize it with unprecedented postage hikes that price mail out of the system.”
The study analyzes the most recent data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Affairs. You can access the full report at: https://www.envelope.org/emaf/institute-for-postal-studies/.
EMA is the world's largest association devoted exclusively to the envelope manufacturing and paper-based communications industry. The EMA Foundation for Paper-Based Communications supports the paper- based communications industry by conducting research and education initiatives to inform stakeholders on postal and environmental matters.
Source: Envelope Manufacturers Association
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Printing Impressions.
