Occupation · 2026 assessment

Electricity Markets Plant Operator

The Electricity Markets Plant Operator role combines repeatable operations with decisions that require professional context. The index measures task exposure to AI, software automation and robotics—not the probability that the occupation disappears.

Low risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

32%2026
37%2028
43%2030
52%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
Executing operations through a standard workflow51%
Recognizing and classifying incoming data42%
Escalating non-standard cases to a responsible specialist21%
Collecting telemetry and preparing shift reports43%
Forecasting load and consumption37%
Automated equipment-condition monitoring36%
Routine switching under normal conditions43%
Field repair and fault localization26%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1Executing operations through a standard workflowAI 51% · human 66%
  2. 2Recognizing and classifying incoming dataAI 42% · human 75%
  3. 3Escalating non-standard cases to a responsible specialistAI 21% · human 75%
  4. 4Collecting telemetry and preparing shift reportsAI 43% · human 67%
  5. 5Forecasting load and consumptionAI 37% · human 77%
  6. 6Automated equipment-condition monitoringAI 36% · human 66%
  7. 7Routine switching under normal conditionsAI 43% · human 67%
  8. 8Field repair and fault localizationAI 26% · human 76%

Why technology can change this work

  • systems can run standard modes autonomously and escalate only exceptions
  • smart grids automatically balance generation and demand
  • AI forecasts load and output
  • robots and drones inspect hazardous assets

What protects the occupation

  • recognizing dangerous situations and safely taking manual control
  • critical-infrastructure accountability
  • a large share of value comes from human judgement, trust or personal accountability
  • physical work and emergency restoration
  • system decisions under grid instability

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$7 150per month
2035$9 650scenario estimate
2026: $7 15020262027: $7 40020272028: $7 65020282029: $7 90020292030: $8 15020302031: $8 45020312032: $8 75020322033: $9 05020332034: $9 35020342035: $9 6502035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Renewable Energy Forecasting Analyst

Skill fit 85% · risk 17%

Search jobs ↗

Carbon Accounting Automation Specialist

Skill fit 81% · risk 22%

Search jobs ↗

Skills you already have

  • process monitoring
  • emergency-procedure execution
  • energy-system understanding
  • technical diagnostics
  • safety-procedure compliance
  • emergency response

Skills to build

  • autonomous-system supervision
  • log and telemetry analysis
  • smart grids
  • energy storage
  • load forecasting
  • robotic inspection
CurrentElectricity Markets Plant Operator · 32%
→
Keepprocess monitoring · emergency-procedure execution · energy-system understanding
→
Addautonomous-system supervision · log and telemetry analysis · smart grids

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-25 · Assessment confidence: Medium

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

Nearly 30,000 tasks; a global assessment of GenAI exposure across detailed occupational groups.

World Economic Forum · 2025The Future of Jobs Report 2025

A survey of more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies.

O*NET Resource Center · 2026O*NET Database

Occupational, task, skill and work-context structure.