Side-by-Side Comparison
Commercial Pilots leads 3–1| Metric | Commercial Pilots | Locomotive Firers |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 34.2% | 44.0% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 63th | 90th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 10 / 15 | 8 / 11 |
| Median Salary | $122,670 | N/A |
| Employment | 52K | N/A |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Customer and Personal Service
Geography
Transportation
Operation and Control
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Spatial Orientation
Active LearningAI-Augmented
Assisting and Caring for Others
Computers and Electronics
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Commercial Pilots
32%
total discount
Locomotive Firers
26%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Commercial Pilots
10 of 15 at risk89%Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
87%File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
87%Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
85%Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
77%Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Locomotive Firers
8 of 11 at risk88%Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
77%Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
74%Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers.
69%Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.
57%Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
Wage Comparison
Commercial PilotsLocomotive Firers
10th
$59,330N/A
25th
$81,660N/A
Median
$122,670N/A
75th
$175,050N/A
90th
$239,200N/A
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Commercial Pilots2028–2035
Locomotive Firers2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Commercial Pilots has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Locomotive Firers.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Commercial
0
Unique to Locomotive
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Creativity
Social Intelligence
Decision Complexity
Fine Manipulation
Commercial PilotsLocomotive Firers