Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 49%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 49% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 9,760 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $58,170 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 86% for contact with people.
- Also called: Cargo Supervisor, Ground Operations Supervisor, Line Service Supervisor (LSS), Loadmaster.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage | 48% | 10% to 27% | |
| Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity | 16% | 50% to 85% | |
| Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers | 13% | 50% to 85% | |
| Distribute cargo to maximize use of space | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation | 7% | 25% to 50% | |
| Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills aircraft cargo handling supervisors use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,660
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $77,970
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $93,530
- Registered Nurses45% of tasks by 2035 · US median $97,550
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of aircraft cargo handling supervisors?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of aircraft cargo handling supervisors today and 49% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-1041.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/aircraft-cargo-handling-supervisors/