Takeover Tracker
44%medium risk
Locomotive Engineers
vs

54 shared · 25 different

core competencies

23%low risk
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLocomotive EngineersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Risk Score44.1%23.0%
Risk TierMedium RiskLow Risk
Risk Percentile90th14th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)13 / 156 / 15
Median Salary$77,400$58,710
Employment32K469K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Transportation
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Far Vision
Analyzing Data or Information
Selective Attention
Flexibility of Closure
Operation Monitoring
Response Orientation
Auditory Attention
English Language
Controlling Machines and Processes

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Locomotive Engineers

28%

total discount

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

25%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Locomotive Engineers

13 of 15 at risk
87%Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
86%Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brakelines or in main reservoirs.
85%Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
85%Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
77%Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

6 of 15 at risk
87%Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
86%Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.
85%Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
84%Learn and follow safety regulations.
84%Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.

Wage Comparison

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earns -$18,690(-24%) vs Locomotive Engineers
Locomotive EngineersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
10th
$60,980$40,080
25th
$73,410$47,780
Median
$77,400$58,710
75th
$84,230$75,750
90th
$100,690$100,690

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Locomotive Engineers2028–2035
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Locomotive Engineers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Locomotive Engineers

$43,282

from $77,400

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

$45,195

from $58,710

After adjusting for AI risk, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators offers $1,913 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Locomotive

0

Unique to Operating

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Creativity
Fine Manipulation
Locomotive EngineersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Find transitions from Locomotive EngineersFind transitions from Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators