UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 5225
Ranks #214 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)
How exposed to AI are air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers?
31/100
AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)
Low#214
of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)
£35,663
median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 7,000 employee jobs
Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers sits in the low exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 31% of the 365 UK occupations the Department for Education scored. Lower exposure usually means more of the work depends on physical, practical or in-person abilities that current AI applications do not cover well. It does not mean the job will be untouched by technology.
Underlying scores: AIOE (all AI) -0.70, LLM exposure -0.78 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 3. Pay and job counts are 2020 figures, so use them to compare occupations rather than as current salaries.
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Job titles in this occupation
Titles the ONS SOC 2010 coding index places in unit group 5225. If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.
refrigerator maker · refrigerating engineer · refrigeration engineer · refrigeration mechanic · refrigeration technician
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Lower-risk related jobs
Occupations in the same SOC 2010 sub-major group with a lower AI exposure score, highest-paid first. Pay difference is against £35,663 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.
| Occupation | Exposure | Median pay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. | 27/100 | £34,941 | −£722 |
| Metal working production and maintenance fitters | 14/100 | £32,934 | −£2,729 |
| Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out | 30/100 | £31,579 | −£4,084 |
| Vehicle paint technicians | 6/100 | £29,827 | −£5,836 |
| Metal machining setters and setter-operators | 23/100 | £29,548 | −£6,115 |
Occupations with similar exposure
- Cooks (32/100)
- Chemical and related process operatives (31/100)
- Agricultural and fishing trades n.e.c. (31/100)
- Cleaning and housekeeping managers and supervisors (32/100)
← #213 Cooks · #215 Chemical and related process operatives →
Featured in: The best-paid UK jobs with below-average AI exposure
FAQ: Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers and AI
Will AI replace air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers?
The index does not predict job losses. Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers has an AI exposure score of 31/100 (low band), ranking #214 of 293 UK occupations, where 1 is the most exposed. Lower exposure means more of the work relies on abilities current AI applications cover less well.
How does this compare with similar jobs?
Air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers is one of 13 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 4 of the others are more exposed to AI.
How much do air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers earn?
Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £35,663 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 7,000 employee jobs. These are 2020 figures, so use them to compare jobs rather than as current salaries.
Which related jobs are less exposed to AI?
In the same sub-major group, lower-exposure occupations include Electrical and electronic trades n.e.c. (27/100, £34,941), Metal working production and maintenance fitters (14/100, £32,934), Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out (30/100, £31,579).
Where does this data come from?
AI exposure uses Department for Education (2023) AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) scores; pay and job counts come from ONS ASHE 2020. Job titles come from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index.
Source: Department for Education (2023), The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (AIOE scores); ONS ASHE 2020 Table 14; job titles from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index (v7). Exposure is not a prediction of job loss. Methodology · Embed this data
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