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Boston Career Explorer

Transportation and Material Moving

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.

Also called: Cargo Surveyor, Inspector, Marine Cargo Surveyor, Marine Surveyor, Petroleum Inspector, Aircraft Inspector

Median pay in Greater Boston
$103,360
$49.69/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
Not published
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+5.2%
60 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$39,570$43,970$103,360$105,870$122,160

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure40 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 42
  • Language-model AIOE 37
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 41

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

Transportation Inspectors have moderate AI exposure, and observed AI use in this job is little or none so far. AI tools could help with the report writing and record-keeping parts of the job. Checking that freight is braced and blocked, watching loading in person, and advising crews on heavy or dangerous cargo rely on people being on site.

Likely to change

  • Writing freight reports and shipment summaries
  • Recording freight condition and handling details

Still relies on people

  • Physically inspecting bracing and blocking of freight
  • Advising crews on stowing heavy cargo

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    Your safety checks and equipment inspections carry over. This job has long-term on-the-job training, 13.3% projected growth, and a Boston median pay of $111,490.

    Pay difference
    +$8,130 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +13.3%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Verifying that heavy materials are secure and reading specifications build on your inspection habits. It is an apprenticeship with a Boston median pay of $120,840.

    Pay difference
    +$17,480 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
    +6.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Glaziers

    Reading specifications and checking alignment carry over. Glaziers train through an apprenticeship and earn a Boston median of $107,610.

    Pay difference
    +$4,250 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
    +4.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

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