Biofuels Processing Technicians
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 67%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Biofuels Processing Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 67% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 14,080 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $62,470 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 70% for contact with people.
- Also called: Biofuels Processing Technician, Board Operator, Chemical Operator, Ethanol Operator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor batch, continuous flow, or hybrid biofuels production processes | 19% | 30% to 75% | |
| Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust biofuels production | 9% | 30% to 75% | |
| Monitor and record biofuels processing data | 9% | 55% to 88% | |
| Collect biofuels samples and perform routine laboratory tests or analyses to assess biofuels quality | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Operate chemical processing equipment for the production of biofuels | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Clean biofuels processing work area, ensuring compliance with safety regulations | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Perform routine maintenance on mechanical, electrical, or electronic equipment or instruments used in the processing of biofuels | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills biofuels processing technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,460
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,140
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $43,220
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,720
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Biofuels Processing Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of biofuels processing technicians?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of biofuels processing technicians today and 67% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-8099.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Biofuels Processing Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/biofuels-processing-technicians/