Motorboat Operators

Motorboat Operators score 0 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #876 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 17 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 0 on its own and 0 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

0/ 100

Low

Rank: #876of 923 jobs
US workers: 2,480BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $47,520a year
In real AI use: 0 of 17tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 17 (100%)

Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Direct safety operations in emergency situations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Oversee operation of vessels used for carrying passengers, motor vehicles, or goods across rivers, harbors, lakes, and coastal waters.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Service motors by performing tasks such as changing oil and lubricating parts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Organize and direct the activities of crew members.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Report any observed navigational hazards to authorities.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Issue directions for loading, unloading, and seating in boats.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean boats and repair hulls and superstructures, using hand tools, paint, and brushes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Tow, push, or guide other boats, barges, logs, or rafts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Take depth soundings in turning basins.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Perform general labor duties such as repairing booms.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Position booms around docked ships.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

This job is already among the least exposed in its field.

Other jobs in this field

Transportation and Material Moving occupations close to this one.

Questions about motorboat operators and AI

Will AI replace motorboat operators?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Motorboat Operators score 0 out of 100 (low exposure), #876 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 0 of the job's 17 tasks, 0 of them on its own, while 17 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which motorboat operators tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids"; "Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels"; "Direct safety operations in emergency situations".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as motorboat operators, and what do they earn?

About 2,480 people in the US, with median pay of $47,520 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Motorboat Operators

Task by task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Other jobs in this field

Questions about motorboat operators and AI

Know what's changing before it reaches your job.