Occupation · 2026 assessment

Training Data Steward

Emerging role

An emerging specialist who combines domain expertise with technology in data quality and model trust. The role focuses on framing tasks, validating outputs, managing risk and taking responsibility for deployment in the real world.

Why this role is emerging: An emerging role at the intersection of data quality and model trust. It is developing as organizations deploy AI, autonomous systems and robotics; the scope will evolve with practice and regulation.
Low risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

28%2026
34%2028
41%2030
50%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
Generating routine code and configuration53%
Preparing tests and technical documentation49%
Classifying errors and analyzing logs43%
Data migrations and routine integrations43%
Architecture and technical trade-offs22%
Security and production accountability10%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1Generating routine code and configurationAI 53% · human 67%
  2. 2Preparing tests and technical documentationAI 49% · human 77%
  3. 3Classifying errors and analyzing logsAI 43% · human 68%
  4. 4Data migrations and routine integrationsAI 43% · human 69%
  5. 5Architecture and technical trade-offsAI 22% · human 73%
  6. 6Security and production accountabilityAI 10% · human 87%

Why technology can change this work

  • code, configuration and documentation are already digital
  • routine code, tests and technical text can be generated automatically
  • many outputs can be checked with tests and static analysis

What protects the occupation

  • architecture decisions and production accountability
  • understanding business constraints and legacy systems
  • a large share of value comes from human judgement, trust or personal accountability
  • security and complex system integration

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$11 800per month
2035$18 350scenario estimate
2026: $11 80020262027: $12 40020272028: $13 00020282029: $13 65020292030: $14 35020302031: $15 05020312032: $15 85020322033: $16 65020332034: $17 45020342035: $18 3502035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Skills you already have

  • systems thinking
  • software-system understanding
  • debugging
  • requirements work

Skills to build

  • AI-agent-assisted development
  • architecture and system design
  • AI-generated code security
  • observability and DevOps
CurrentTraining Data Steward · 28%
→
Keepsystems thinking · software-system understanding · debugging
→
AddAI-agent-assisted development · architecture and system design · AI-generated code security

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-25 · Assessment confidence: Low

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

Nearly 30,000 tasks; a global assessment of GenAI exposure across detailed occupational groups.

World Economic Forum · 2025The Future of Jobs Report 2025

A survey of more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies.

O*NET Resource Center · 2026O*NET Database

Occupational, task, skill and work-context structure.