Rankings β†’ Will AI Replace…

Will AI Replace Gas Plant Operators?

63/100 β€” High Risk
SOC 51-8092

πŸ’‘ Gas Plant Operators have a composite risk score of 63/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 78%, GenAI exposure: 42/100). With 15,910 workers in the US, this is one of the most AI-vulnerable occupations. Full occupation profile β†’

🎯 The Verdict

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

With 15,910 workers and a median wage of $83K,gas plant operators represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 42%, meaning a minority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.

Risk Score

63/100

Employment

15,910

Median Wage

$83K

GenAI Exposure

42%

⚠️ Top Risk Factors

1.

Smart factory scheduling and production optimization

2.

Predictive maintenance reducing manual inspection roles

3.

Automated CNC programming and machine operation

4.

Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks

πŸ›‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace

βœ“

Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions

βœ“

Coordinating workflow across diverse production teams

βœ“

Setup and calibration of custom production runs

πŸ”„ Career Transition Paths

Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:

Engineers

51% skills overlap Β· $106K median wage

20/100

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

55% skills overlap Β· $93K median wage

28/100

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

53% skills overlap Β· $97K median wage

29/100

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI completely replace gas plant operators?

Likely for many tasks. The role will look very different in 5–10 years.

What is the AI risk score for gas plant operators?

Gas Plant Operators have a composite AI automation risk score of 63 out of 100, classified as "High Risk".

How many gas plant operators are there in the US?

There are approximately 15,910 gas plant operators employed in the United States.

What do gas plant operators earn?

The median annual wage for gas plant operators is $83K.

What skills should gas plant operators develop?

Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions, coordinating workflow across diverse production teams, setup and calibration of custom production runs. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.