Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace power plant operators?AI replacement risk 42% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$102,040
25th–75th pct. $79,690–$119,080
Top pay (est.)
$171,500
Top 10% $131,940
Pay in 5 years
$116,000est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$132,000est.
$113,500–$153,200
Outlook score
45/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
42%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
−5.1%
2,300 openings / yr

Will AI replace Power Plant Operators? AI replacement risk

42%
Moderate
Ranked #399 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Power Plant Operators

Key skills

Operation and Control
4.0
Operations Monitoring
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.8
Judgment and Decision Making
3.1
Repairing
3.1
Reading Comprehension
3.1
Troubleshooting
3.1
Quality Control Analysis
3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical
4.8
Chemistry
3.8
English Language
3.5
Production and Processing
3.5
Public Safety and Security
3.5
Physics
3.4
Education and Training
3.4
Engineering and Technology
2.8

What the work involves

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesThinking Creatively

Important abilities

Near VisionPerceptual SpeedOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

High school diploma
60%
Associate's degree
14%
Bachelor's degree
13%
Post-secondary certificate
8%
Less than high school
3%
Some college
2%

Training before entry

2–4 years
37%
3–6 months
16%
6–12 months
8%
None / short demo
2%
1–3 months
2%
Up to 1 month
2%

Related work experience

2–4 years
47%
1–2 years
22%
4–6 years
13%
6–12 months
9%
None
4%
Over 10 years
3%
3–6 months
2%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.