Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator pay by experience level
Entry level$102,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$113,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$127,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$135,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$154,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-15.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
400
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary by industry
Utilities
4,030 workers
$125,000
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
4,030 workers
$125,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
590 workers
$137,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
480 workers
$139,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
110 workers
$128,500
Educational Services, State Government Owned
60 workers
$97,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
50 workers
$126,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
50 workers
$126,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator pays 124% above the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator make?
The average base salary for a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator in the United States is $125,500 per year, or about $60.34 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $113,000 and $135,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Production roles?
The Production job family averages $56,000 across 112 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Nuclear Power Reactor Operator pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
