cylinder filler
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Are you detail-oriented and enjoy working with machinery? As a cylinder filler, you'll play a vital role in industries that rely on compressed and liquefied gases, ensuring a steady supply for various applications.
Cylinder fillers are skilled workers responsible for safely and efficiently filling cylinders with gases like oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. This role involves operating specialized equipment, monitoring filling processes, and ensuring all cylinders meet quality and safety standards. You’ll be working in a controlled environment, often within industrial settings, and require a strong understanding of safety protocols and equipment maintenance.
- • Operating filling machinery to accurately fill cylinders with various gases.
- • Monitoring gauges and controls to ensure proper pressure and fill levels.
- • Inspecting cylinders for damage or defects before and after filling.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Stationary plant and machine operators — 259 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Italy and 2 more.
Longest-running shortage: Lithuania, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could cylinder filler fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
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Do you enjoy tasks that require Stress Tolerance?
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Future Outlook for cylinder filler
The outlook for cylinder filler reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could cylinder filler change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could cylinder filler change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- adhere to Standard Operating Procedures
- adjust cylinder valves
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- inspect cylinders
- check quality of raw materials
- connect cylinders lines
Tasks most exposed to automation
- record cylinders information
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a cylinder filler
09 09:00 · Morning inspect cylinders
10 10:30 · Mid-morning connect cylinders lines
12 12:00 · Midday fill cylinders
14 14:00 · Afternoon maneuver cylinders
15 15:30 · Late afternoon adhere to Standard Operating Procedures
17 17:00 · Wrap-up record cylinders information
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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good manufacturing practices
Regulatory requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.
- mathematics
- hazardous waste storage
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inspect cylinders
Inspect the cylinders for leaks by brushing or spraying chemical solutions.
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check quality of raw materials
Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
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record cylinders information
Record for each cylinder the information related to weight, number and type of gas that is contained.
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connect cylinders lines
Connect the lines between cylinders and manifold by using wrench.
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maneuver cylinders
Roll cylinders onto the platform scale or position them on the racks, manually or using a chain hoist.
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adhere to Standard Operating Procedures
Adhere to and follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
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fill cylinders
Fill cylinders setting the pressure gauge according to specifications and listening for the buzzer which announces that the filling is complete.
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adjust cylinder valves
Adjust the tension on the cylinder valves or change the valves with torque wrench.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does cylinder filler fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or experience is typically needed to become a cylinder filler?
- While formal education isn't always required, employers often look for candidates with a technical aptitude and a willingness to learn. On-the-job training is common, and prior experience with machinery or in industrial settings can be beneficial. A strong understanding of safety protocols is essential.
- What are some potential hazards associated with this role, and how are they mitigated?
- Working with compressed gases presents potential hazards such as leaks, explosions, and asphyxiation. Safety is paramount, and cylinder fillers are trained to identify and mitigate these risks through the use of personal protective equipment, regular equipment checks, and adherence to strict safety procedures.
- What industries commonly employ cylinder fillers?
- Cylinder fillers are employed in a variety of industries, including welding and fabrication, healthcare (medical gases), manufacturing, food and beverage, and scientific research. Any industry that utilizes compressed or liquefied gases will likely have a need for skilled cylinder fillers.
- Cylinder Filler — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 6 of the 10 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Italy and 2 more. Lithuania has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Cylinder Filler — what does it pay in the United States?
- $71,510 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $21,840 to $107,730. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.