Ship Engineers vs Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

medium risk

Ship Engineers

72 shared · 13 different

core competencies

low risk

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Side-by-Side Comparison

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists leads 4–1

Metric	Ship Engineers	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Risk Score	28.0%	19.8%
Risk Tier	Medium Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	30th	6th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	6 / 15	3 / 15
Median Salary	$101,320	$60,640
Employment	9K	287K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Controlling Machines and Processes

Written Comprehension

Administration and Management

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Handling and Moving Objects

Oral Expression

Problem Sensitivity

Written Expression

Selective Attention

Speech Clarity

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

MonitoringAI-Augmented

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Ship Engineers

30%

total discount

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

29%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Ship Engineers

6 of 15 at risk

87%Record orders for changes in ship speed or direction and note gauge readings or test data, such as revolutions per minute or voltage output, in engineering logs or bellbooks.

86%Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.

86%Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.

85%Order and receive engine room stores, such as oil or spare parts, maintain inventories, and record usage of supplies.

77%Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

3 of 15 at risk

78%Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.

62%Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.

51%Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.

47%Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.

41%Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.

Wage Comparison

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earns -$40,680(-40%) vs Ship Engineers

Ship EngineersBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

10th

$56,620$41,670

25th

$71,720$49,240

Median

$101,320$60,640

75th

$130,380$73,690

90th

$162,370$85,980

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Ship Engineers2028–2035

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Ship Engineers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Ship Engineers

$72,950

from $101,320

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

$48,639

from $60,640

After adjusting for AI risk, Ship Engineers offers $24,311 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Ship

Unique to Bus

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Decision Complexity

Fine Manipulation

Ship EngineersBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

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