Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 58%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 58% 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 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Car Inspector, Carman, Emissions Inspector, Inspector.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations | 17% | 3% to 30% | |
| Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken | 11% | 70% to 95% | |
| Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Review commercial vehicle logs, shipping papers, or driver and equipment records to detect any problems or to ensure compliance with regulations | 7% | 50% to 85% | |
| Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found | 5% | 35% to 58% | |
| Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Investigate incidents or violations, such as delays, accidents, and equipment failures | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills transportation vehicle, equipment and systems inspectors, except aviation use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,290
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $92,460
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,960
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,850
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of transportation vehicle, equipment and systems inspectors, except aviation?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of transportation vehicle, equipment and systems inspectors, except aviation today and 58% 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 53-6051.07 (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). Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/transportation-vehicle-equipment-and-systems-inspectors-except-aviation/