Gas Plant Operators
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-8092.00
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
- 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
0.072
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, 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
0.29
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
Exposed tasks only19 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (10.5%)
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
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.51-8092.00 | 0.0016100.0 | 0.0151100.0 |
| Not observed on any surface — 18 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | ||
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | —0 | —0 |
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. | —0 | —0 |
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. | —0 | —0 |
Start and shut down plant equipment. | —0 | —0 |
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. | —0 | —0 |
Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed. | —0 | —0 |
Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems. | —0 | —0 |
Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading. | —0 | —0 |
Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions. | —0 | —0 |
Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks. | —0 | —0 |
Contact maintenance crews when necessary. | —0 | —0 |
Change charts in recording meters. | —0 | —0 |
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment. | —0 | —0 |
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment. | —0 | —0 |
Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air. | —0 | —0 |
Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus. | —0 | —0 |
Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment. | —0 | —0 |
Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems. | —0 | —0 |
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. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.O*NET Task ID 14295 | 1.0 |
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.O*NET Task ID 14290 | 0.5 |
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.O*NET Task ID 14286 | 0.0 |
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.O*NET Task ID 14287 | 0.0 |
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.O*NET Task ID 14288 | 0.0 |
Start and shut down plant equipment.O*NET Task ID 14289 | 0.0 |
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.O*NET Task ID 14291 | 0.0 |
Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.O*NET Task ID 14292 | 0.0 |
Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.O*NET Task ID 14293 | 0.0 |
Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.O*NET Task ID 14294 | 0.0 |
Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.O*NET Task ID 14296 | 0.0 |
Contact maintenance crews when necessary.O*NET Task ID 14297 | 0.0 |
Change charts in recording meters.O*NET Task ID 14298 | 0.0 |
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.O*NET Task ID 14299 | 0.0 |
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.O*NET Task ID 14300 | 0.0 |
Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.O*NET Task ID 14301 | 0.0 |
Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.O*NET Task ID 14302 | 0.0 |
Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.O*NET Task ID 14303 | 0.0 |
Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.O*NET Task ID 14304 | 0.0 |
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®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (19)
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 |
|---|---|
| Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | Core |
| Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. | Core |
| Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. | Core |
| Start and shut down plant equipment. | Core |
| Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows. | Core |
| Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. | Core |
| Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed. | Core |
| Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems. | Core |
| Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading. | Core |
| Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions. | Core |
| Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks. | Core |
| Contact maintenance crews when necessary. | Core |
| Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment. | Core |
| Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment. | Core |
| Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment. | Core |
| Change charts in recording meters. | Supplemental |
| Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air. | Supplemental |
| Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus. | Supplemental |
| Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems. | Supplemental |
1.24/ 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 |
|---|---|
| Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | E2 structured facilities |
| Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. | E2 structured facilities |
| Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. | E2 structured facilities |
| Start and shut down plant equipment. | E2 structured facilities |
| Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed. | E0 none |
| Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment. | E2 structured facilities |
| Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment. | E2 structured facilities |
| Change charts in recording meters. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air. | E2 structured facilities |
| Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems. | E2 structured facilities |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 18K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 17K
- Change (2025–35)
- -6%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $87,820
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83119 | 그 외 석유 및 천연가스 제조 관련 제어 장치 조작원 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 83112 | 석유 및 천연가스 정제 장치 조작원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
| 83190 | 그 외 석유 및 화학물 가공 장치 조작원 | Related, not a match | 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 3134Petroleum and Natural Gas Refining Plant Operators
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.
- gas station operatorESCO 3133.1.5Same scope
Gas station operators process gases for compression, transmission or recovery by using gas, steam or electric engine compressors. They perform chemical tests on gases and are responsible for pumps and pipelines operations.
- gas processing plant control room operatorESCO 3134.1This occupation is broader
Gas processing control room operators perform a range of tasks from the control room of a processing plant. They monitor the processes through electronic representations shown on monitors, dials, and lights. They make changes to variables and communicate with other departments to make sure processes keep running smoothly and according to established procedures. They take appropriate actions in case of irregularities or emergencies.
- gas processing plant operatorESCO 3134.2Overlapping, not the same
Gas processing plant operators operate and maintain distribution equipment in a gas distribution plant. They distribute gas to utility facilities or consumers, and ensure the correct pressure is maintained on gas pipelines. They also oversee compliance with scheduling and demand.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| H2711 | Opérateur / Opératrice consoliste en raffinerie | Related, not a match |
| H2715 | Chef / Cheffe d'exploitation en production distribution d'énergie | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3134 | Técnicos de refinerías de petróleo y gas natural | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 41343 | Steuerer/Steuerinnen von Erdöl- und Erdgasraffinationsanlagen - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the same |
| 25122 | Maschinen- und Anlagenführer/innen - 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 644 | ポンプ・ブロワー・コンプレッサー運転従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 501 | 化学製品生産設備制御・監視員 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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