AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 51-8013.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Power Plant Operators?

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

Estimated AI task exposure
20%

Low-Moderate exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

22 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 73%.

Digital/info work

33/100

Physical moat

61/100

Human moat

15/100

Rating coverage

73%

30 task statements / 22 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
Importance 88/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.91
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
Importance 88/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 77/100Weight 0.90
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.
Importance 86/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 79/100Weight 0.89
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
Importance 85/100Relevance 99/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.89
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Importance 89/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 82/100Weight 0.89
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
Importance 86/100Relevance 99/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.87
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
Importance 84/100Relevance 86/100Frequency 76/100Weight 0.83
Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
Importance 89/100Relevance 82/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.82
Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
Importance 88/100Relevance 79/100Frequency 75/100Weight 0.81
Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Importance 78/100Relevance 87/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.80

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$102,040

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

29,320

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

-5.1%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Helpers--Extraction Workers

5%

15 points lower exposure • 90% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,730 Growth 2025–2035: +1.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

5%

15 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,510 Growth 2025–2035: +6.7% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

5%

15 points lower exposure • 89% profile similarity

Median wage: $56,210 Growth 2025–2035: +4.4% Annual openings: 1

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

6%

14 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $58,870 Growth 2025–2035: +2.8% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Home Appliance Repairers

5%

15 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,990 Growth 2025–2035: +1.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

5%

15 points lower exposure • 90% profile similarity

Median wage: $64,120 Growth 2025–2035: +29.5% Annual openings: 2

more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

    • physical-world execution
    • on-site troubleshooting
    • dexterity and equipment interaction

    LEARN

    • AI-assisted diagnostics
    • digital documentation
    • basic AI literacy

    AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

    What this score does not mean

    The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

    New in V11

    Find a Safer Career Path

    High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

    EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
    I am your guide.
    Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.