AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 53-4011.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Locomotive Engineers?

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

Estimated AI task exposure
31%

Low-Moderate exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

15 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

44/100

Physical moat

63/100

Human moat

14/100

Rating coverage

100%

15 task statements / 15 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
Importance 98/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 90/100Weight 0.97
Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
Importance 96/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 90/100Weight 0.96
Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
Importance 94/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.93
Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
Importance 92/100Relevance 98/100Frequency 85/100Weight 0.93
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
Importance 92/100Relevance 97/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.91
Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
Importance 86/100Relevance 97/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.89
Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
Importance 87/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 66/100Weight 0.87
Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
Importance 85/100Relevance 98/100Frequency 63/100Weight 0.84
Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
Importance 82/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.81
Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
Importance 85/100Relevance 75/100Frequency 69/100Weight 0.77

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$81,410

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

33,470

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+0.5%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

26 points lower exposure • 85% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

26 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,510 Growth 2025–2035: +6.7% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

5%

26 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $84,890 Growth 2025–2035: +5.4% Annual openings: 0

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

26 points lower exposure • 84% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

6%

25 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $58,870 Growth 2025–2035: +2.8% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Home Appliance Repairers

5%

26 points lower exposure • 87% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,990 Growth 2025–2035: +1.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

    • physical-world execution
    • on-site troubleshooting
    • dexterity and equipment interaction

    LEARN

    • AI-assisted diagnostics
    • digital documentation
    • basic AI literacy

    AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

    What this score does not mean

    The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

    New in V11

    Find a Safer Career Path

    High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

    EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
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