AI JOB SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 53-4011.00 / model V14 rated-task + local-market 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.

CHECK PAY WHERE YOU LIVE

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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