Transportation Inspectors
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 517 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
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 middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 64% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
AI could do much of this on its own
Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Identify modifications to engines, fuel systems, emissions control equipment, or other vehicle systems to determine the impact of modifications on inspection procedures or conclusions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment.
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.
Commercial Pilots
Very similar work+90% pay126 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 90% more—$181,318 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Response Orientation
- Rate Control
- Reaction Time
- Control Precision
Locomotive Engineers
Very similar work+17% pay111 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 17% more—$111,616 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Transportation
- Oral Comprehension
- Public Safety and Security
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Response Orientation
- Far Vision
- Rate Control
- Operation and Control
Ship Engineers
Very similar work+43% pay72 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 43% more—$136,570 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
A step up—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
- Mechanical
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operation and Control
- Installation
- Building and Construction
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Similar work+3% pay1,913 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$98,402 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
New skills to build
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Building and Construction
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Education and Training
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Similar work+11% pay200 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 11% more—$105,701 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
New skills to build
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
Rail Car Repairers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay164 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$86,975 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Engineering and Technology
- Problem Sensitivity
- Critical Thinking
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Building and Construction
- Static Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Reaction Time
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Somewhat similar work+1% pay765 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 1% more—$96,212 vs your $95,467 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Public Safety and Security
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Building and Construction
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance