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Marine Cargo Inspectors

Transportation & Material Movingmediumaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+4%
Median Wage (est.): ~$68,200
Employment (est.): ~13K

Overall Exposure

34+12

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

50

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

20

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

27

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

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

Overall Exposure

34→48
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

50→64
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

20→34
+14

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

27→38
+11

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Inspect cargo containers for structural integrity and safety
30%β 0.5
Verify shipping documentation and regulatory compliance
62%β 1
Assess hazardous materials handling and labeling
35%β 0.5
Generate inspection reports and communicate findings
55%β 1
Monitor loading and unloading operations for safety compliance
25%β 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Marine Cargo Inspector, AI is beginning to transform your profession. With an automation risk of 27/100 and overall exposure at 34%, this role faces medium transformation. The highest-impact area is verify shipping documentation and regulatory compliance at 62% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +4% growth through 2034. Inspectors who adopt AI-powered document verification and IoT-based container monitoring will gain significant productivity advantages.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 3257ILO official

Environmental and Occupational Health Inspectors and Associates

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Environmental and occupational health inspectors and associates investigate the implementation of rules and regulations relating to environmental factors that may affect human health, safety in the workplace, and safety of processes for the production of goods and services. They may implement and evaluate programmes to restore or improve safety and sanitary conditions under the supervision of a health professional.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET53-6051.01

    Aviation Inspectors

    Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 27%, Marine Cargo Inspectors 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.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Marine Cargo Inspectors is 27% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 34%, with 50% theoretical exposure and 20% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +9 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Marine Cargo Inspectors are: Verify shipping documentation and regulatory compliance (62%), Generate inspection reports and communicate findings (55%), Assess hazardous materials handling and labeling (35%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +4% employment change for Marine Cargo Inspectors between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 34%, this occupation faces 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 Marine Cargo Inspectors 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.