Nuclear power reactor operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $122,890 | $59.08 |
| Mean (average) | $121,380 | $58.36 |
| 90th percentile | $149,310 | $71.78 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Nuclear power reactor operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 5 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $119,000 | $105,050 | $160,760 | 360 | 5.13 |
| Illinois | $123,980 | $104,760 | $133,950 | 410 | 2.04 |
| Nebraska | $108,650 | $90,120 | $131,100 | 50 | 1.46 |
| New York | $129,580 | $102,070 | $158,080 | 230 | 0.73 |
| South Carolina | $118,620 | $85,820 | $126,790 | 320 | 4.15 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Job outlook for nuclear power reactor operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for nuclear power reactor operators
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician CIP 41.0205
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
- Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
- Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
- Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
- Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
Technology skills
- Outage management system OMS (in demand)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Azure software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Power Automate (hot technology)
- Microsoft Power BI (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Structured query language SQL (hot technology)
- Data logging software
- Plant information data entry software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Coordination.
Common job titles: Licensed Reactor Operator, Nuclear Control Operator, Nuclear Control Room Operator, Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO), Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Nuclear Reactor Operator, Nuclear Station Operator (NSO), Nuclear Supervising Operator (NSO), Nuclear Unit Operator, Reactor Operator (RO).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear power reactor operators make?
The national median annual wage for nuclear power reactor operators was $122,890 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $98,640 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $149,310. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do nuclear power reactor operators need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is nuclear power reactor operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of nuclear power reactor operators to change -5.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay nuclear power reactor operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($129,580), Illinois ($123,980), Alabama ($119,000). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.