Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 231 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 33% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
AI could do much of this on its own
Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
AI could do much of this on its own
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.
AI could do much of this on its own
Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Ship Engineers
Very similar work+28% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 28% more—$136,570 vs your $107,098 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Mechanical
- Operation and Control
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Troubleshooting
- Installation
- Building and Construction
- Repairing
Commercial Pilots
Very similar work+69% pay126 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 69% more—$181,318 vs your $107,098 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Transportation
- Far Vision
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Spatial Orientation
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Response Orientation
- Operations Monitoring
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
Riggers
Somewhat similar work+1% pay90 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 1% more—$108,583 vs your $107,098 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Problem Sensitivity
- Depth Perception
New skills to build
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Production and Processing