SOC 51-8091
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Risk Score
⚠️66/100
High Risk
US Employment
👥17,840
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$74K
$48K – $108K
Projected Growth
📈-6.1%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖53/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Chemical Plant and System Operators face a risk score of 66/100 — 22 points above the national average of 44. With 53/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite weak projected growth. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $74K ($27K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 66/100, Chemical Plant and System Operators faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like smart factory scheduling and production optimization are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 17,840 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in coordinating workflow across diverse production teams and setup and calibration of custom production runs to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Smart factory scheduling and production optimization
Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks
Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks
Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams
Setup and calibration of custom production runs
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 57% |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 28 | $93K | 61% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 29 | $97K | 59% |