Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 58%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 58% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 48,240 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $74,340 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 80% for contact with people.
- Also called: Control Valve Mechanic, Control Valve Technician, Electric Meter Technician, Instrument and Electrical Technician (I and E Technician).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Calibrate instrumentation, such as meters, gauges, and regulators, for pressure, temperature, flow, and level | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install, inspect and test electric meters, relays, and power sources to detect causes of malfunctions and inaccuracies, using hand tools and testing equipment | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install regulators and related equipment such as gas meters, odorization units, and gas pressure telemetering equipment | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made | 5% | 70% to 95% | |
| Test valves and regulators for leaks and accurate temperature and pressure settings, using precision testing equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers | 5% | 68% to 94% | |
| Mount and install meters and other electric equipment such as time clocks, transformers, and circuit breakers, using electricians' hand tools | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,450
- Motorcycle Mechanics37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,580
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers45% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,600
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,070
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door today and 58% 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 49-9012.00 (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). Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/control-and-valve-installers-and-repairers-except-mechanical-door/