As of June 2026, Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels has an AI-exposure score of 51/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

51/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 36% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$92,460. About 4,300 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Transportation roles

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (you)
51
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
51
Flight Attendants
51
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
51
Ship Engineers
51
Subway and Streetcar Operators
51
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
  • Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.
  • Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
  • Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
  • Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
  • Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
  • Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
Augmentable
  • Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
  • Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
  • Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
  • Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
  • Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
  • Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
  • Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
  • Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
  • Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
  • Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
  • Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
  • Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
  • Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (65%).

Safer adjacent roles

Sailors and Marine Oilers
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$51,520
47
Motorboat Operators
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$47,520
48
Ship Engineers
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$109,530
51
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
56% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$232,140
67
Transportation Inspectors
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$92,100
59
Commercial Pilots
40% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$123,220
64
Bridge and Lock Tenders
40% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$57,700
64
Locomotive Engineers
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$81,410
54

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.