SOC 53-5021
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ38/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ35,390
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$86K
$46K โ $164K
Projected Growth
๐+0.5%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค38/100
Moderate exposure
๐ก Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels face a risk score of 38/100 โ 6 points below the national average of 44. With only 38/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $86K ($39K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions offer lower AI risk while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 38/100, Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai route optimization reducing dispatcher roles are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 35,390 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in emergency situation response and quick decision-making and manual loading of irregular and fragile cargo to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI route optimization reducing dispatcher roles
Automated warehouse sorting and loading systems
Autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Emergency situation response and quick decision-making
Manual loading of irregular and fragile cargo
Customer interaction and conflict resolution during delivery
Navigating complex urban environments with obstacles
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
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.
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
๐ป Technology Skills
Operating system software
Computer aided design CAD software
Facilities management software
Route navigation software
Analytical or scientific software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Transportation
Public Safety and Security
Mechanical
Law and Government
English Language
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation Workers | 31 | $107K | 74% |
| Ship Engineers | 33 | $101K | 70% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 81% |