Ship Engineers
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 55%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Ship Engineers 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 2034, and 55% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 8,400 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $109,530 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 69% for contact with people.
- Also called: Barge Engineer, Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Harbor Engineer.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain or repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, or other mechanical or electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance or repair duties | 19% | 3% to 30% | |
| Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff | 18% | 35% to 70% | |
| Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, or sewerage systems | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Perform general marine vessel maintenance or repair work, such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, or maintaining decks | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Clean engine parts and keep engine rooms clean | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Supervise marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance or repair of mechanical or electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly | 6% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills ship engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,160
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,510
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,880
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,590
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Ship Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of ship engineers?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of ship engineers today and 55% 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 53-5031.00 (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). Ship Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/ship-engineers/