AI exposure score

Power Plant Operators

Power Plant Operators score 23 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #609 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 30 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 3 on its own and 8 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

23/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #609of 923 jobs
US workers: 29,320BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $102,040a year
In real AI use: 2 of 30tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (10%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 8 (27%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 19 (63%)

Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.AI can speed this up on its own
Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.AI can speed this up with extra software
Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.AI can speed this up with extra software
Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.AI can speed this up with extra software
Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
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.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
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.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.Little or no AI speed-up
Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.Little or no AI speed-up
Repair or replace gas piping.Little or no AI speed-up
Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.Little or no AI speed-up

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Questions about power plant operators and AI

Will AI replace power plant operators?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Power Plant Operators score 23 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #609 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 11 of the job's 30 tasks, 3 of them on its own, while 19 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which power plant operators tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports"; "Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies"; "Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports".

Which power plant operators tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations"; "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".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 30 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as power plant operators, and what do they earn?

About 29,320 people in the US, with median pay of $102,040 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.