EMAF Institute for Postal Studies

Key Assets 

• Press Release: For use by media and EMA member company communications professionals. 
• Mini-Presentation: Overviewing the 2026 U.S. Mailing Industry Economic Job and Revenue Study
• Mailing Industry Job Cards: Job and revenue metrics mapped by nation, state, and congressional district

Study Highlights 

Key U.S. mailing industry findings include:

• 7.4 million jobs representing 4.5% of the U.S. civilian labor force
• $2.0 trillion in sales revenue to the U.S. economy, accounting for 3.8% of U.S. total output
• 92% of mailing industry jobs are in the private sector 
• Package delivery jobs grew 7.9% since 2022, driven by e-commerce growth
• Jobs and revenue span every state, anchoring local economies and communities nationwide

The mailing industry supports work across multiple sectors and types of jobs including:

• Commerce: powering e-commerce fulfillment, product shipping, and returns
• Marketing: connecting brands to customers through direct mail campaigns
• Government: delivering ballots, legal notices, and official documents securely
• Media: distributing newspapers, magazines, and journals to subscribers nationwide
• Logistics: operating the sorting technology and delivery networks that keep commerce moving
• Technology: developing software for mailing lists and for generating proper postage
• Manufacturing: producing paper, constructing envelopes for mailings, providing inserting services, and developing equipment for the industry

Approved Quotes

Pre-Approved Quotes for Media Use:

“The mailing industry is woven into the fabric of every community in this country, in ways most people never stop to consider. The printer down the street, the warehouse employing hundreds on the edge of town, and the small business that depends on direct mail to reach its customers are all part of the mailing industry. This study puts real, current numbers behind a story that deserves to be told, and told widely. With 7.4 million workers and the communities that depend on them, we are counting on decision-makers to understand what this industry actually means to the American economy.”

— Marie Clarke, President, Envelope Manufacturers Association

“Many people assume the mailing industry is the Postal Service. The data tells a different story. Ninety-two percent of mailing industry jobs are in the private sector, which means postal policy decisions ripple through millions of private-sector jobs and the businesses that depend on them.”

— Cheryl Chapman, Head of Research, EMA Foundation

About the Study

About the 2026 U.S. Mailing Industry Economic Job and Revenue Study

The 2026 U.S. Mailing Industry Economic Job and Revenue Study draws exclusively from publicly available national economic data. Employment figures are sourced primarily from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Survey (2025). Revenue figures draw from U.S. Census Bureau programs including the Economic Census, the Annual Survey of Manufacturing, and Quarterly Financial Reports. 

The study follows the methodology established by previous editions to ensure comparability across years. The analytic approach is conservative — excluding measures such as employee salaries, induced employment, and taxes paid — meaning the findings are likely an undercount of the industry’s true economic footprint.

About the Envelope Manufacturers Association

EMA is the world’s largest association devoted exclusively to the envelope manufacturing and paper-based communications industry. EMA promotes the value of paper-based communications and works closely with state, national, and global legislative and regulatory authorities to ensure the industry remains successful and protected. The EMA Foundation for Paper-Based Communications supports the industry by conducting research and education initiatives to inform stakeholders on postal and environmental matters.

Media Contact

For all media inquiries, please contact

Cheryl Chapman
Head of Research, EMA Foundation
cchapman@envelope.org
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