UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 8124
Ranks #180 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)
How exposed to AI are energy plant operatives?
43/100
AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)
Medium#180
of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)
£37,187
median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 6,000 employee jobs
Energy plant operatives sits in the medium exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 43% 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) -0.29, LLM exposure -0.52 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 2. 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 8124 (30 of 74 shown). If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.
stoker · boilerman · engineman · motor man · fire beater · steam riser · switch hand · boiler firer · power worker · steam boiler · steam raiser · boiler feeder · boiler minder · boiler stoker · boiler tenter · engine driver · engine minder · engine stoker · engine tender · engine tenter · engine worker · stoker's mate · stoker-porter · unit operator · boiler fireman · boiler foreman · compressor man · engine fireman · furnace stoker · gas compressor
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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 £37,187 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.
| Occupation | Exposure | Median pay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail construction and maintenance operatives | 12/100 | £35,333 | −£1,854 |
| Scaffolders, stagers and riggers | 8/100 | £34,176 | −£3,011 |
| Water and sewerage plant operatives | 28/100 | £32,084 | −£5,103 |
| Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods) | 24/100 | £31,697 | −£5,490 |
| Road construction operatives | 5/100 | £30,535 | −£6,652 |
Occupations with similar exposure
- Paramedics (43/100)
- Medical and dental technicians (42/100)
- Physiotherapists (42/100)
- Senior police officers (42/100)
← #179 Pharmacy and other dispensing assistants · #181 Paramedics →
Featured in: The best-paid UK jobs with below-average AI exposure
FAQ: Energy plant operatives and AI
Will AI replace energy plant operatives?
The index does not predict job losses. Energy plant operatives has an AI exposure score of 43/100 (medium band), ranking #180 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?
Energy plant operatives is one of 24 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 1 of the others is more exposed to AI.
How much do energy plant operatives earn?
Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £37,187 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 6,000 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 Rail construction and maintenance operatives (12/100, £35,333), Scaffolders, stagers and riggers (8/100, £34,176), Water and sewerage plant operatives (28/100, £32,084).
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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