As of June 2026, Power Plant Operators has an AI-exposure score of 57/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Power Plant Operators
More exposed than 55% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$102,040. About 2,500 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Production roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
- Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
- Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
- Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as automatable (75%).
Safer adjacent roles
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