Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for nuclear power reactor operators is $59.08 an hour ($122,890 a year). About 5,150 people work in this job there.

$59.08Median hourly pay

$109,440–$130,490Middle half of workers, yearly

5,150People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for nuclear power reactor operators in the U.S.

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$47.42	$98,640
25% of workers	$52.61	$109,440
Half of workers (median)	$59.08	$122,890
75% of workers	$62.73	$130,490
90% of workers	$71.78	$149,310

Best-paying states for nuclear power reactor operators

State	Median yearly pay	People in this job
New York	$129,580	230
Illinois	$123,980	410
Alabama	$119,000	360
South Carolina	$118,620	320
Nebraska	$108,650	50

Education, experience and outlook for nuclear power reactor operators

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -5.9% over ten years, declining · about 400 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

Job	Median yearly pay
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$60,020
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	$96,710
Power Plant Operators	$102,040
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$78,620
Chemical Engineers	$125,040
Gas Plant Operators	$87,820
Chemical Plant and System Operators	$78,120
Nuclear Engineers	$133,970

Other job titles for this job

Nuclear Station OperatorControl Room AgentControl Room OfficerLicensed Nuclear Control Room OperatorLicensed Reactor OperatorNuclear Control OperatorNuclear Control Room Non-licensed OperatorNuclear Control Room OperatorNuclear OperatorNuclear Plant OperatorNpoNuclear Power Reactor Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.