Pilots, Ship
Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.
How AI Impacts Each Task
18 tasks analyzed
Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
Steer ships into or out of berths or signal tugboat captains to berth or unberth ships.
Set ships' courses that avoid reefs, outlying shoals, or other hazards, using navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys.
Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or when at a berth.
Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
Give directions to crew members who are steering ships.
Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
Provide assistance to vessels approaching or leaving seacoasts, navigating harbors, or docking and undocking.
Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
Maintain ship logs.
Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
Relieve crew members on tugs or launches.
Maintain or repair boats or equipment.
Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures, through the use of instruction, simulators, or models.
Oversee cargo storage on or below decks.
Make nautical maps.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 15% | |
| Steer ships into or out of berths or signal tugboat captains to berth or unberth ships. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 15% | |
| Set ships' courses that avoid reefs, outlying shoals, or other hazards, using navigational aids, such as lighthouses or buoys. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Prevent ships under their navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 5% | |
| Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or when at a berth. | 5Estimated | 17.0% | 8% | |
| Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 10% | |
| Give directions to crew members who are steering ships. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 8% | |
| Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 5% | |
| Provide assistance to vessels approaching or leaving seacoasts, navigating harbors, or docking and undocking. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 5% | |
| Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Maintain ship logs. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 3% | |
| Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures. | 50Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Relieve crew members on tugs or launches. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Maintain or repair boats or equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures, through the use of instruction, simulators, or models. | 10Estimated | 31.0% | 2% | |
| Oversee cargo storage on or below decks. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Make nautical maps. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis