AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 53-4022.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

Estimated AI task exposure
16%

Low exposure

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

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

Digital/info work

23/100

Physical moat

49/100

Human moat

14/100

Rating coverage

100%

25 task statements / 25 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Importance 96/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 86/100Weight 0.90
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Importance 90/100Relevance 94/100Frequency 83/100Weight 0.90
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Importance 89/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 87/100Weight 0.88
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Importance 90/100Relevance 90/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.87
Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
Importance 91/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.87
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
Importance 82/100Relevance 98/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.86
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Importance 89/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.86
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
Importance 84/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.85
Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
Importance 86/100Relevance 90/100Frequency 73/100Weight 0.84
Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
Importance 82/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 75/100Weight 0.84

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

$68,840

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

12,400

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+0.8%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

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

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

5%

11 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $46,680 Growth 2025–2035: -2.9% Annual openings: 7

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

6%

10 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $57,020 Growth 2025–2035: +1.6% Annual openings: 14

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

Fence Erectors

6%

10 points lower exposure • 93% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,980 Growth 2025–2035: +5.6% Annual openings: 2

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

5%

11 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $34,890 Growth 2025–2035: +4.3% Annual openings: 28

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

5%

11 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,960 Growth 2025–2035: +4.2% Annual openings: 8

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

5%

11 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $78,240 Growth 2025–2035: -8.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

      LEARN

      • 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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