Jobs in utilities have an average Still needs a human score of 73.1 out of 100 (higher is safer), 0.9 points below the average for all jobs of 74.0 and 23rd of 37 among the sectors (1st is least exposed). The largest job here is electrical power-line installers and repairers (66,000 workers, 85/100 ↑ safer), and of the jobs more common here than across the economy, customer service representatives is the most exposed (51/100 ↑ safer).
73.1/100↑ safer
8.0%
15.4%
+9.8%
How the work here could shift
The share of workers in this sector whose job would sit in each band, from today to 2060.
Today
32%
of workers in this sector are in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
0% are in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)
By 2045
4%
of workers in this sector would still be in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
58% would be in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)
By 2060
4%
of workers in this sector would still be in jobs that mostly need a person (our top band, Nah.)
92% would be in jobs AI could largely do (Largely.)
Each job's score moves towards the bottom band (Largely: AI could largely do the job) by the year it could be largely automated, slowly at first and faster later, as adoption usually goes. Each job is run as ten scenarios across its replacement range, so every figure mixes early and late outcomes. The model stops at 2060. How the timeline works
Will AI replace the job?Largely.Mostly.Partly.A little.Nah.
Show the data
| Year | Largely | Mostly | Partly | A little | Nah |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today (2026) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7.8% | 59.7% | 32.4% |
| 2030 | 0.0% | 3.6% | 29.7% | 48.4% | 18.2% |
| 2035 | 15.2% | 20.1% | 30.0% | 30.6% | 4.0% |
| 2040 | 34.9% | 27.7% | 24.3% | 9.0% | 4.0% |
| 2045 | 57.6% | 24.7% | 12.0% | 1.8% | 4.0% |
| 2050 | 72.9% | 18.5% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 4.0% |
| 2055 | 86.0% | 8.2% | 0.0% | 1.8% | 4.0% |
| 2060 | 92.4% | 1.8% | 0.0% | 1.8% | 4.0% |
The largest jobs in utilities
| # | Job | Still needs a human | Evidence | Could be largely automated | Workers in the sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 85↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2045–2060+ | 65,800 |
| 2 | Customer Service Representatives | 51↑ saferAI replace? Partly. | D | 2034–2041 | 27,400 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | 73↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2045–2060+ | 24,600 |
| 4 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 83↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2045–2060+ | 22,600 |
| 5 | Electrical Engineers | 70↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2036–2050 | 22,400 |
| 6 | Power Plant Operators | 73↑ saferAI replace? A little.workers of 3 related jobs | D | 2046–2060+ | 20,499 |
| 7 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 81↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2046–2060+ | 17,700 |
| 8 | General and Operations Managers | 72↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2036–2051 | 17,000 |
| 9 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 77↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2045–2060+ | 13,400 |
| 10 | Project Management Specialists | 66↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2035–2047 | 12,600 |
Common jobs here that AI can do most of
| # | Job | Still needs a human | Evidence | Could be largely automated | Workers in the sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Customer Service Representatives | 51↑ saferAI replace? Partly. | D | 2034–2041 | 27,400 |
| 2 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 54↑ saferAI replace? Partly.workers of 2 related jobs | D | 2034–2042 | 2,600 |
| 3 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 54↑ saferAI replace? Partly. | D | 2034–2042 | 6,200 |
| 4 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 57↑ saferAI replace? Partly. | D | 2034–2044 | 1,100 |
| 5 | Computer Systems Analysts | 59↑ saferAI replace? Partly.workers of 2 related jobs | D | 2033–2042 | 4,100 |
| 6 | Information Security Analysts | 59↑ saferAI replace? Partly. | D | 2033–2043 | 1,400 |
| 7 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 60↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2035–2046 | 4,700 |
| 8 | Bill and Account Collectors | 60↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2035–2045 | 1,300 |
| 9 | Human Resources Specialists | 61↑ saferAI replace? A little. | D | 2035–2045 | 2,800 |
| 10 | Data Scientists | 61↑ saferAI replace? A little.workers of 3 related jobs | D | 2034–2044 | 1,500 |
Common jobs here that most need a human
| # | Job | Still needs a human | Evidence | Could be largely automated | Workers in the sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 88↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2046–2060+ | 1,600 |
| 2 | Construction Laborers | 87↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2048–2060+ | 2,700 |
| 3 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 87↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2046–2060+ | 1,900 |
| 4 | Tree Trimmers and Pruners | 86↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2046–2060+ | 1,000 |
| 5 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 85↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2048–2060+ | 4,500 |
| 6 | Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | 85↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2046–2060+ | 1,300 |
| 7 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 85↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2045–2060+ | 65,800 |
| 8 | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | 85↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2045–2060+ | 3,100 |
| 9 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 84↑ saferAI replace? Nah.workers of 2 related jobs | D | 2044–2060+ | 2,700 |
| 10 | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 84↑ saferAI replace? Nah. | D | 2045–2060+ | 1,200 |
How this is worked out
- The average weights every job's Still needs a human score by how many people do it in this sector, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' industry employment data. Jobs cover 99.0% of the sector's employment.
- Job scores are national: an accountant in retail scores the same as an accountant anywhere. The sector figure reflects its mix of jobs, not how its employers use AI; the Census figure shows that.