Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace ship engineers?AI replacement risk 25% and how the work is changing

United States Transportation Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$109,530
25th–75th pct. $82,130–$135,760
Top pay (est.)
$215,100
Top 10% $165,490
Pay in 5 years
$127,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$149,000est.
$128,100–$172,900
Outlook score
67/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
25%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.7%
900 openings / yr

Will AI replace Ship Engineers? AI replacement risk

25%
Low
Ranked #180 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Ship Engineers

Key skills

Operation and Control
3.9
Repairing
3.9
Operations Monitoring
3.9
Critical Thinking
3.9
Troubleshooting
3.9
Monitoring
3.8
Equipment Maintenance
3.8
Active Listening
3.5

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical
5.7
Building and Construction
3.6
Physics
3.6
Computers and Electronics
3.5
Chemistry
3.5
Transportation
3.5
Engineering and Technology
3.4
Administration and Management
3.3

What the work involves

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionControl Precision

Education of workers

High school diploma
48%
Post-secondary certificate
24%
Post-bachelor's certificate
11%
Bachelor's degree
8%
Some college
6%
Less than high school
3%

Training before entry

6–12 months
29%
1–2 years
27%
3–6 months
14%
Up to 1 month
11%
2–4 years
9%
None / short demo
3%
1–3 months
3%
4–10 years
3%

Related work experience

1–2 years
45%
2–4 years
32%
6–8 years
12%
6–12 months
5%
None
3%
4–6 years
3%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.