Correspondence Clerks
Machines can already do 67% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 89%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Correspondence Clerks in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 67% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 28% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 89% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 4,290 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $46,800 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Chargeback Specialist, Claims Correspondence Clerk, Correspondence Clerk, Correspondence Coordinator.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 19% | 73% to 93% | |
| Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers' concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence | 13% | 85% to 97% | |
| Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary | 11% | 85% to 97% | |
| Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Prepare documents and correspondence, such as damage claims, credit and billing inquiries, invoices, and service complaints | 9% | 68% to 94% | |
| Complete form letters in response to requests or problems identified by correspondence | 7% | 77% to 97% | |
| 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 | 5% | 60% to 90% | |
| Compile data from records to prepare periodic reports | 4% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills correspondence clerks use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much correspondence clerks rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver5/10
- Trust and reliability6/10
- Know-how about the organisation6/10
- Network and relationships4/10
- Mentoring and developing others1/10
- Culture and morale4/10
- Initiative beyond the role1/10
- Calm in a crisis4/10
- Bridge between teams3/10
- Reputation and influence1/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks88% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,670
- New Accounts Clerks75% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,670
- Budget Analysts85% of tasks by 2035 · US median $91,640
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks84% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,080
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Correspondence Clerks?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of correspondence clerks?
Machines can do 67% of the tasks of correspondence clerks today and 89% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-4021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Correspondence Clerks: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/correspondence-clerks/