Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Machines can already do 38% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 72%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Power Distributors and Dispatchers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 38% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 72% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 8,520 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $106,730 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 78% for contact with people.
- Also called: Control Area Operator, Control Operator, Dispatcher, Distribution System Dispatcher (DSD).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers | 19% | 40% to 80% | |
| Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes | 16% | 30% to 54% | |
| Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections | 12% | 40% to 80% | |
| Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems | 10% | 40% to 75% | |
| Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas | 7% | 40% to 80% | |
| Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly | 7% | 55% to 88% | |
| Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators | 6% | 10% to 27% | |
| Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines | 6% | 40% to 80% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills power distributors and dispatchers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $99,130
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,890
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians70% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,350
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $110,240
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Power Distributors and Dispatchers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of power distributors and dispatchers?
Machines can do 38% of the tasks of power distributors and dispatchers today and 72% 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 51-8012.00 (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). Power Distributors and Dispatchers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/power-distributors-and-dispatchers/