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Marine Traffic Controllers

Transportation & Material Movinghighaugment
BLS 2024-34: +2%
Median Wage: $58,340
Employment: 5K

Overall Exposure

56

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

76

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

35

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

35

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

56โ†’70
+14

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

76โ†’86
+10

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

35โ†’54
+19

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

35โ†’48
+13

2025 โ†’ 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Detailed Metrics Table

YearOverallTheoreticalObservedRiskData Type
202450722830actual
202556763535estimated
202661804240estimated
202766834844estimated
202870865448estimated

Task Breakdown

Monitor vessel positions and traffic patterns on radar and AIS displays
68%ฮฒ 1
Communicate navigation advisories and clearances to vessel operators
35%ฮฒ 0.5
Coordinate emergency response for maritime incidents and distress calls
15%ฮฒ 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a Marine Traffic Controller, AI is augmenting your monitoring and pattern detection capabilities. With an automation risk of 35/100 and overall exposure at 56%, this role faces high transformation. Radar and AIS monitoring sees the highest automation at 68%. BLS projects +2% growth through 2034.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 35%, Marine Traffic Controllers faces a moderate level of AI-driven change. Some tasks can be automated, but many require human judgment, creativity, or interpersonal skills that AI cannot yet replicate. The role is more likely to evolve alongside AI than be replaced.

The AI automation risk score for Marine Traffic Controllers is 35% (2025 data). Overall AI exposure is 56%, with 76% theoretical exposure and 35% observed exposure. The risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is 0 points.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Marine Traffic Controllers are: Monitor vessel positions and traffic patterns on radar and AIS displays (68%), Communicate navigation advisories and clearances to vessel operators (35%), Coordinate emergency response for maritime incidents and distress calls (15%). 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 +2% employment change for Marine Traffic Controllers from 2024 to 2034. Combined with an overall AI exposure of 56%, 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 Marine Traffic Controllers 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.