SOC 53-5000
Water Transportation Workers
Risk Score
⚠️34/100
Moderate
US Employment
👥77,710
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$66K
$37K – $139K
Projected Growth
📈+1.3%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖35/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Water Transportation Workers face a risk score of 34/100 — 10 points below the national average of 44. With only 35/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $66K ($20K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 34/100, Water Transportation Workers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection needs are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 77,710 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in navigating unpredictable road and weather conditions and emergency situation response and quick decision-making to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Water Transportation Workers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection needs
Autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology
Drone delivery displacing last-mile logistics workers
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Navigating unpredictable road and weather conditions
Emergency situation response and quick decision-making
Navigating complex urban environments with obstacles
Customer interaction and conflict resolution during delivery
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 83% |
| Air Transportation Workers | 31 | $107K | 81% |
| Ship Engineers | 33 | $101K | 77% |