Hydroelectric Production Managers
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 53%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Hydroelectric Production Managers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 53% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 246,250 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $126,060 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 74% for contact with people.
- Also called: Hydroelectric Station Supervisor (Hydro Station Supervisor), Plant Manager, Power Plant Superintendent, Power Plant Supervisor.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct operations, maintenance, or repair of hydroelectric power facilities | 16% | 10% to 27% | |
| Maintain records of hydroelectric facility operations, maintenance, or repairs | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Monitor or inspect hydroelectric equipment, such as hydro-turbines, generators, or control systems | 9% | 40% to 80% | |
| Supervise or monitor hydroelectric facility operations to ensure that generation or mechanical equipment conform to applicable regulations or standards | 9% | 30% to 58% | |
| Inspect hydroelectric facilities, including switchyards, control houses, or relay houses, for normal operation or adherence to safety standards | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Supervise hydropower plant equipment installations, upgrades, or maintenance | 7% | 10% to 27% | |
| Develop or review budgets, annual plans, power contracts, power rates, standing operating procedures, power reviews, or engineering studies | 7% | 10% to 27% | |
| Plan or coordinate hydroelectric production operations to meet customer requirements | 6% | 22% to 48% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills hydroelectric production managers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Biofuels Production Managers48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $126,060
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,800
- Wind Energy Operations Managers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $141,900
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Hydroelectric Production Managers?
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 hydroelectric production managers?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of hydroelectric production managers today and 53% 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 11-3051.06 (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). Hydroelectric Production Managers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/hydroelectric-production-managers/