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.
National median · BLS
$122,890
▲ +0.23%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$121,380
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
5,150
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$98,640
25th
$109,440
Median (50th)
$122,890
75th
$130,490
90th — top pay
$149,310
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
BLS projects employment of nuclear power reactor operators to decline 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
5,200 → 4,900
-300 jobs
Projected change
-5.9%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
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Nuclear Power Reactor Operators salaries by metro area
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Median
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operation and Control4.0
Operations Monitoring4.0
Reading Comprehension4.0
Active Listening3.9
Critical Thinking3.9
Monitoring3.9
Complex Problem Solving3.8
Judgment and Decision Making3.5
Writing3.5
Time Management3.4
Top knowledge areas
Physics4.1
Mechanical3.9
Public Safety and Security3.7
Mathematics3.6
Engineering and Technology3.5
Chemistry3.4
Design3.0
English Language2.9
Software and technology used
Outage management system OMSMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Power AutomateMicrosoft Power BIMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointStructured query language SQLData logging softwarePlant information data entry software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What nuclear power reactor operators do
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.
Also called
Nuclear Control OperatorNuclear Reactor OperatorNuclear Station Operator (NSO)Reactor Operator (RO)Licensed Reactor OperatorNuclear Control Room OperatorNuclear Plant Operator (NPO)Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorNuclear Supervising Operator (NSO)Nuclear Unit Operator
More job titles for this occupation (10)
Control OperatorControl Room AgentControl Room OfficerControl Room OperatorLicensed Nuclear Control Room OperatorNuclear Control Room Non-Licensed OperatorNuclear OperatorNuclear Power Plant Process Control WorkerPower Reactor OperatorUnit Reactor Operator
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $122,890.
