STEM Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn $122,890 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $109,440 and $130,490. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

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About 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.

Median Wage: $122,890
Employed Nationally: 5K
Openings / Year: 400
Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone: Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Control Operator Control Room Agent Control Room Officer Control Room Operator Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator

How Much Do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Make?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn $122,890 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,440 and $130,490. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$122,890

National Median (Annual)

Well above average for college graduates.

$109K–$130K

Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.

Earnings Range

$109,440 Entry-level

$122,890 Median

$130,490 Experienced

What Do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll 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.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Reading Comprehension Operations Monitoring Operation and Control Active Listening Critical Thinking

Who Thrives Here

Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

Investigative

This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.

Where Do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting

Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands

Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level

High

High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators?

The BLS projects -15.3% employment change for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↘ -15.3%

10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Declining employment projected.

400

Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Nuclear Power Reactor Operators professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $122,890 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

#	State	Jobs	Median Wage	vs. National
1	Illinois	460	—	—
2	North Carolina	340	$107,200	-12.8%
3	South Carolina	320	$112,070	-8.8%
4	New York	280	$131,520	+7.0%
5	Ohio	150	$124,030	+0.9%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Nuclear Power Reactor Operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Typical Entry Education High school diploma or equivalent

Job Zone

Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.

Degree Programs That Lead Here

#	Program	Graduates/yr	4yr Median	Colleges
1	Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians	319	—	24

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Top Colleges for Aspiring Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

#	College	UCD Score	Net Price	Salary 10yr
1	State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MO	77	$15,190	$55,901
2	Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC	73	$3,345	$37,865
3	Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TX	72	$4,666	$44,960
4	Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KS	68	$7,175	$37,723
5	Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WI	68	$9,653	$47,113
6	Northern New Mexico College Espanola, NM	67	$7,276	$38,112

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Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if the degree that leads to Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Pros & Cons

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 3 upsides and 1 concerns below are all data-sourced.

PROS

Very high median salary The national median of $122,890 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $130,490 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.

CONS

Declining employment The BLS projects -15.3% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators professionals earn?

The national median annual wage for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is $122,890, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,440 and $130,490. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.

Is Nuclear Power Reactor Operators a good career?

With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -15.3% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $122,890 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.

How do I become a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators?

Most Nuclear Power Reactor Operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians are common starting points.

Why are Nuclear Power Reactor Operators jobs declining?

The BLS projects -15.3% employment change for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 400 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 5K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.

Why do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators professionals earn so much?

At $122,890 median with a Zone 3 preparation level, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators compensates well because specialized expertise creates high economic value per hour, and the role typically carries meaningful liability, decision-making responsibility, or direct revenue impact. Industries that depend on this skill set pay competitively to attract and retain people who are genuinely good at it.

What skills do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators professionals need?

O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators roles: Reading Comprehension, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.