Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-8013.04
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.026
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.28
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 19 hidden tasks21 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (9.5%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.O*NET Task ID 17914 | 1.0 |
Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants.O*NET Task ID 17918 | 1.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (21)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines. | Core |
| Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary. | Core |
| Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants. | Core |
| Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors. | Core |
| Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions. | Core |
| Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs. | Core |
| Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels. | Core |
| Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants. | Core |
| Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves. | Core |
| Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations. | Core |
| Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks. | Core |
| Take readings and record data, such as water levels, temperatures, or flow rates. | Core |
| Test and repair or replace electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, station batteries, cable trays, conduits, or control devices. | Core |
| Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment. | Core |
| Connect metal parts or components in hydroelectric plants by welding, soldering, riveting, tapping, bolting, bonding, or screwing. | Core |
| Cut, bend, or shape metal for applications in hydroelectric plants, using equipment such as hydraulic benders or pipe threaders. | Core |
| Erect scaffolds, platforms, or hoisting frames to access hydroelectric plant machinery or infrastructure for repair or replacement. | Core |
| Lift and move loads, using cranes, hoists, and rigging, to install or repair hydroelectric system equipment or infrastructure. | Core |
| Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination. | Core |
| Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources. | Core |
| Splice or terminate cables or electrical wiring in hydroelectric plants. | Core |
1.05/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines. | E0 none |
| Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary. | E2 structured facilities |
| Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants. | E2 structured facilities |
| Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions. | E2 structured facilities |
| Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs. | E2 structured facilities |
| Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves. | E0 none |
| Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations. | E2 structured facilities |
| Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks. | E2 structured facilities |
| Take readings and record data, such as water levels, temperatures, or flow rates. | E2 structured facilities |
| Test and repair or replace electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, station batteries, cable trays, conduits, or control devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Connect metal parts or components in hydroelectric plants by welding, soldering, riveting, tapping, bolting, bonding, or screwing. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Cut, bend, or shape metal for applications in hydroelectric plants, using equipment such as hydraulic benders or pipe threaders. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Erect scaffolds, platforms, or hoisting frames to access hydroelectric plant machinery or infrastructure for repair or replacement. | E0 none |
| Lift and move loads, using cranes, hoists, and rigging, to install or repair hydroelectric system equipment or infrastructure. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination. | E0 none |
| Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources. | E2 structured facilities |
| Splice or terminate cables or electrical wiring in hydroelectric plants. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 51-8013 group (Power plant operators), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 30K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 28K
- Change (2025–35)
- -5.1%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $102,040
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86102 | 수력발전 장치 운전원 | Same scope | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3131Power Production Plant Operators
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Power production plant operators operate, monitor and maintain switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres which control the production and distribution of electrical or other power in transmission networks. The equipment operated includes reactors, turbines, generators and other auxiliary equipment in electrical power generating stations.
Tasks
- (a) operating, monitoring and inspecting various types of energy generating power plants;
- (b) operating and controlling power generating systems and equipment including boilers, turbines, generators, condensers, and reactors in hydro, thermal, coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power plants to generate and distribute electrical power;
- (c) controlling start-up and shut-down of power plant equipment, controlling switching operations, regulating water levels and communicating with systems operators to regulate and coordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages;
- (d) taking readings from charts, meters and gauges at established intervals, troubleshooting and performing corrective action as necessary;
- (e) completing and maintaining station records, logs and reports, and communicating with other plant personnel to assess equipment operating status;
- (f) cleaning and maintaining equipment such as generators, boilers, turbines, pumps, and compressors in order to prevent equipment failure or deterioration.
Example occupations
Distribution control operator · Electric power plant operator · Generating station operator · Hydroelectric power plant operator · Nuclear power plant operator · Solar power plant operator
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- hydropower technicianESCO 3113.2Same scope
Hydropower technicians install and maintain systems in hydropower plants. They perform inspections, analyse problems and carry out repairs. They ensure the turbines operate in compliance with regulations, and assist the hydropower engineers in the construction of turbines.
- hydroelectric plant operatorESCO 3131.1.5Overlapping, not the same
Hydroelectric plant operators operate and maintain the equipment used in the production of energy from the movement of water. They monitor the measuring equipment, assess the production needs, and adapt the water flow to meet these needs. They also perform repairs and maintenance duties.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H2712 | Technicien / Technicienne d'exploitation en centrale hydroélectrique | Same scopeprovisional |
| H2701 | Technicien / Technicienne d'exploitation en production d'énergie thermique | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3131 | Técnicos en instalaciones de producción de energía | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 26232 | Berufe in der Energie- und Kraftwerkstechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 26252 | Berufe in der elektrischen Betriebstechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 641 | 発電員，変電員 | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources