Career Explorer Transport and logistics
Human edge, steady
Transportation inspectors
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 57% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.2% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $92,100
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.2%
- Openings a year
- 2,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 25,100
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Advise others on business or operational matters
- Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance
- Issue documentation
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Inspect vehicles
- Maintain operational records
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
What the work looks like
- Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
- Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
- Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
- Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
- Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Motorboat operatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +4.9%
- Automotive and watercraft service attendantsHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +3.8%
- Pump operators, except wellhead pumpersHuman edge, growing, Index 79, +4.3%
- Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsHuman edge, steady, Index 77, +3.1%
Also known as: Cargo Surveyor, Marine Cargo Surveyor, Marine Surveyor, Petroleum Inspector, Aircraft Inspector, Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), Inspector, Quality Inspector.
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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.