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51-8013.00

Power Plant Operators

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

8.5OUT OF 10SAFEHIGH RISK
High Risk

The robots are coming for your paycheck

More at risk than 81% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 85% probability of automation for this role
paper →
81%
of jobs safer
190
jobs riskier than this
-11.2%
projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Physical Robots

Physical robotics, autonomous machines, and automated equipment are the main threat to the physical tasks in this occupation.

Power Plant Operators run generation facilities—fossil fuel, nuclear, and renewable—under increasingly sophisticated AI-assisted control systems (GE Digital Grid Solutions, Siemens Energy AI) that optimize generation, predict equipment failures, and flag anomalies. The trend is toward fewer operators managing more complex systems with AI assistance. However, the accountability for grid reliability and safety in power generation creates strong reasons to maintain human operators in control rooms through 2027; the role evolves rather than disappears.

Disrupted byBoston DynamicsAmazon RoboticsTesla Optimus

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay
$99,670
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
10-Year Job Growth
-11.2%
Declining
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

8.5
9.3
10.0
10.0
Today
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)
AI-resistant (1)
Mixed
Active Listening65%
Speaking60%
Coordination62%
Monitoring58%
Time Management55%

Career Pivot Paths

If you're a Power Plant Operators, consider pivoting toward these lower-risk roles:

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Power Plant Operators

8.5
/ 10
High Risk
85% automation risk

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POWER PLANT OPERATORS
8.5

/ 10

HIGH RISK

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You're more at risk than a Environmental Engineers (score: 1.7). Maybe it's time to rethink.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →