Transportation · SOC 53-5021
Chart work and log-keeping face AI assistance, but licensed pilotage authority and vessel command remain firmly human.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI-assisted navigation is already reducing chart-work burden; however, licensed pilotage authority is legally mandated to remain human in most jurisdictions through at least 2035.
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Transportation
$74,080 median pay
$35,580 median pay
$37,130 median pay
$57,440 median pay
AI job-risk card
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels is 32/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
32 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Consulting charts and weather reports for route planning, Maintaining daily activity logs and position records, Reading gauges and recording hydraulic and oxygen levels, Calculating depth soundings from electronic devices. Harder to automate: Preventing vessels from unsafe operations — licensed authority, Serving as docking master upon port arrival, Piloting vessels through hazardous or restricted waters, Reporting pilotage law violations to authorities.
Lean into Maritime navigation and pilotage, Vessel safety command, Port and harbor operations, Emergency seamanship. Consider roles such as Port harbor master or Marine safety compliance officer or Maritime operations manager.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.