Aviation Inspectors
Machines can already do 32% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Aviation Inspectors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 32% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 24,500 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $92,100 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 85% for contact with people.
- Also called: Aircraft Inspector, Aircraft Quality Control Inspector (Aircraft QC Inspector), Airworthiness Safety Inspector, Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports | 19% | 70% to 95% | |
| Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments | 16% | 3% to 30% | |
| Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures | 15% | 3% to 30% | |
| Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals | 15% | 50% to 85% | |
| Examine landing gear, tires, and exteriors of fuselage, wings, and engines for evidence of damage or corrosion and the need for repairs | 10% | 30% to 75% | |
| Recommend replacement, repair, or modification of aircraft equipment | 5% | 35% to 58% | |
| Investigate air accidents and complaints to determine causes | 5% | 3% to 30% | |
| Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness | 4% | 65% to 92% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills aviation inspectors use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,010
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,990
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,890
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,140
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Aviation Inspectors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of aviation inspectors?
Machines can do 32% of the tasks of aviation inspectors today and 62% 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 53-6051.01 (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). Aviation Inspectors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/aviation-inspectors/