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Harbor Pilots

Transportation & Material Movinglowaugment
BLS 2024-34: +1%
Median Wage: $96,350
Employment: 6K

Overall Exposure

18+6

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

36

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

9

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

12

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 โ†’ 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

18โ†’28
+10

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

36โ†’48
+12

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

9โ†’16
+7

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

12โ†’19
+7

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
2023122858actual
20241532710actual
20251836912actual
202622401215estimated
202725441417estimated
202828481619estimated

Task Breakdown

Board vessels and navigate them through confined waterways
8%ฮฒ 0
Assess weather, tidal, and current conditions before transit
35%ฮฒ 0.5
Communicate with port authorities and vessel traffic services
18%ฮฒ 0
Supervise tugboat operations during vessel berthing and unberthing
10%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Harbor Pilot, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 12/100 and overall exposure at 18%, this role faces low transformation. The highest-impact area is assess weather, tidal, and current conditions before transit at 35% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +1% growth through 2034. The hands-on, high-stakes nature of piloting large vessels through hazardous waterways keeps this role highly resistant to automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 12%, Harbor Pilots has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

The AI automation risk score for Harbor Pilots is 12% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 18%, with 36% theoretical exposure and 9% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +4 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Harbor Pilots are: Assess weather, tidal, and current conditions before transit (35%), Communicate with port authorities and vessel traffic services (18%), Supervise tugboat operations during vessel berthing and unberthing (10%). These rates reflect how much of each task current AI systems can handle, based on research data from Anthropic and academic sources.

The BLS projects +1% employment change for Harbor Pilots from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 18%, this occupation is experiencing both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Harbor Pilots should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.