Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
Common Job Titles
- Nuclear Control Operator
- Nuclear Reactor Operator
- Nuclear Station Operator (NSO)
- Reactor Operator (RO)
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
5,720
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $99,300. 25th percentile: U.S. $107,170. 50th percentile: U.S. $122,610. 75th percentile: U.S. $131,520. 90th percentile: U.S. $152,690. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $99,300 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $152,690 |
| Workers on average earn | $122,830 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Physics4.1/5
- Mechanical3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Engineering and Technology3.5/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Power BI
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Structured query language SQL
Technology Skills
- Data logging software
- Microsoft Power Automate
- Outage management system OMS
- Plant information data entry software
Tools & Equipment
- Air compressors
- Air monitoring equipment
- Air purifying respirators
- Air sample collection equipment
- Area gamma monitors
- Automatic control systems
- Control rod drives
- Cooling towers