# Power Plant Operators

> Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-8013.00
- **Summary:** Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

## Aliases

- Auxiliary Operator
- Control Room Operator
- Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech)
- Power Plant Operator
- Control Operator
- Multicraft Operator (MCO)
- Plant Control Operator
- Plant Operator
- Station Operator
- Unit Operator
- Asphalt Plant Operator
- Auxiliary Equipment Tender

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| 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. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| 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. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.g |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Operate energy distribution equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Operate energy production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Operate pumping systems or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Exchange information with colleagues. | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Collect samples of materials or products for testing. | 4.A.3.a.2.b |
| Repair production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Maintain sustainable energy production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Inspect equipment or systems. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems. | 4.A.2.b.1.b |
| Monitor conditions at energy-producing landfills. | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Operate natural gas generation equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems. | 4.A.2.a.1.g |
| Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards. | 4.A.1.a.2.b |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 4 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.98 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.69 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.62 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.62 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.4 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.25 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 3.24 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Physics | knowledge | 3.07 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Repairing | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Time Sharing | ability | 3 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Email Software | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Computerized maintenance management system CMMS | Facilities management software | no | no |
| Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Distributed control system DCS | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Email software | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Emerson Ovation | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Gas field monitoring system software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS | Industrial control software | no | no |
| General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Interlock shutdown systems | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Landfill gas analysis software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Landtec System Software LFG Pro | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Operational Data Store ODS software | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Safety instrumented system SIS software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Siemens Power Plant Automation SPPA | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Siemens Teleperm | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Teknik Segala OSI Plant Information PI System | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |
| Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS | Industrial control software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| E-Mail | 4.65 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.64 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 4.6 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.59 |
| Contact With Others | 4.56 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.55 |
| Consequence of Error | 4.54 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.29 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.28 |
| Exposed to High Places | 4.24 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.19 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.19 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.16 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.13 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.11 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.07 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 4.05 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 4 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.97 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.97 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.93 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.79 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.76 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.74 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.65 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.64 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.62 |
| Time Pressure | 3.6 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.57 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.56 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.45 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.35 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.22 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.01 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.99 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.99 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.96 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.96 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.96 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 59.81 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14.29 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12.54 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.16 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 3.46 |
| Some College Courses | 1.74 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.84 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 6.15 |
| Dependability | work_style | 6 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.11 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 5.07 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 5 |
| Integrity | work_style | 4 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 3 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.84 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.77 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.68 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 2.24 |
| Self-Control | work_style | 2.14 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.13 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.94 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.7 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-8013.04 | role-51-8013-04 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-8013.03 | role-51-8013-03 | Biomass Plant Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-8092.00 | role-51-8092-00 | Gas Plant Operators | Primary-Short |
| 49-9099.01 | role-49-9099-01 | Geothermal Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-8021.00 | role-51-8021-00 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8093.00 | role-51-8093-00 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Primary-Long |
| 51-8091.00 | role-51-8091-00 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | Primary-Long |
| 53-7071.00 | role-53-7071-00 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | Primary-Long |
| 51-8031.00 | role-51-8031-00 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Primary-Long |
| 51-8012.00 | role-51-8012-00 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | Primary-Long |
| 11-3051.04 | role-11-3051-04 | Biomass Power Plant Managers | Supplemental |
| 11-3051.02 | role-11-3051-02 | Geothermal Production Managers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Energy & Natural Resources | energy-natural-resources |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | engineering-engineering-related-technologies-technicians |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 99670
- **Mean Wage:** 95990
- **Pct10Wage:** 59930
- **Pct25Wage:** 77400
- **Pct75Wage:** 111980
- **Pct90Wage:** 128760
- **Employment:** 30720
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 21490 | 102950 | 186.15 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 11860 | 103640 | 834.99 |
| 221111 | 221111 | Hydroelectric Power Generation | National industry | 1620 | 95150 | 1188.73 |
| 221117 | 221117 | Biomass Electric Power Generation | National industry | 950 | 63470 | 2591.38 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 950 | 77560 | 0.53 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 770 | 71470 | 0.3 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 770 | 61960 | 0.28 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 730 | 78530 | 0.34 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 590 | 78530 | 2.56 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 460 | 64370 | 0.1 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 420 | 107870 | 0.75 |
| 221115 | 221115 | Wind Electric Power Generation | National industry | 410 | 75600 | 207.23 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 221117 | 221117 | Biomass Electric Power Generation | National industry | 950 | 2591.38 |
| 221116 | 221116 | Geothermal Electric Power Generation | National industry | 300 | 2247.35 |
| 221111 | 221111 | Hydroelectric Power Generation | National industry | 1620 | 1188.73 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 11860 | 834.99 |
| 221118 | 221118 | Other Electric Power Generation | National industry | 250 | 359.53 |
| 221115 | 221115 | Wind Electric Power Generation | National industry | 410 | 207.23 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 21490 | 186.15 |
| 221114 | 221114 | Solar Electric Power Generation | National industry | 230 | 82.75 |
- **Count:** 19

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.85 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.3482779 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.1809246 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.4411169 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 31
- **Percentile:** 29
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 39 | felten_aioe |
| 37 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 17 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.3482779 | 39 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.37777777777777777 | 37 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.0655066316400932 | 17 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.85
- **Percentile:** 71
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.08888888888888889
- **Beta:** 0.23333333333333334
- **Gamma:** 0.37777777777777777

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities. | 0.027628395005936512 |  |
| Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. | 0.010989733329498909 | 4.14 |
| Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports. | 0.0016433246100185286 |  |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -11.2
- **Growth Percentile:** 5
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 2.5
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 33
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 31.6
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 28

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 1
- **Task Count:** 2
- **Total Sample:** 60
- **Autonomy Median:** 3
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 54.76
- **Work Use Percent:** 73.81

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 54.76 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| work | 73.81 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. | 0.004200525065633205 | directive | 3 | 42 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. | 90.47619047619048 | 42 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 30
- **Skills:** 39
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 26
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 0f535881cb0c4f0e