Ship engineers

Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.

AI Resistance Index 91 of 99

Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 91% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.7% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and physical dexterity.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $109,530
Job growth to 2035: +2.7%
Openings a year: 900
People doing it (2025): 8,800
Usual route in: College certificate

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Where people already use AI for this work

Purchase goods or services
Communicate with others about operational plans or activities

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Maintain vehicles in working condition
Monitor equipment operation
Maintain operational records

What the work looks like

Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
Perform or participate in emergency drills, as required.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Aircraft cargo handling supervisorsHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +9.2%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +10.9%
Commercial diversHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +4.8%
ElectriciansHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +9.2%

Also known as: Engineer, Ferry Engineer, Port Engineer, Tug Boat Engineer, Barge Engineer, Harbor Engineer, Ship Engineer, Towboat Engineer.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.