Transportation Inspectors
Machines can already do 35% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Transportation Inspectors in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 35% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 66% 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 73% for contact with people.
- Also called: Cargo Surveyor, Inspector, Marine Cargo Surveyor, Marine Surveyor.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
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 submit reports after completion of freight shipments | 15% | 70% to 95% | |
| Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered | 10% | 70% to 95% | |
| Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Visually inspect cargo for damage upon arrival or discharge | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Determine cargo transportation capabilities by reading documents that set forth cargo loading and securing procedures, capacities, and stability factors | 6% | 55% to 85% | |
| Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections | 5% | 35% to 58% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills transportation inspectors use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much transportation inspectors rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.
- Go-to problem solver4/10
- Trust and reliability9/10
- Know-how about the organisation5/10
- Network and relationships5/10
- Mentoring and developing others2/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role3/10
- Calm in a crisis5/10
- Bridge between teams3/10
- Reputation and influence4/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Stockers and Order Fillers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,330
- Bus Drivers, School64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,920
- Transportation Security Screeners49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $66,770
- Animal Caretakers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,360
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Transportation Inspectors?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of transportation inspectors?
Machines can do 35% of the tasks of transportation inspectors today and 66% 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 53-6051.00 (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, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Transportation Inspectors: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/transportation-inspectors/