51 Series · SOC 51-8011

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$122,890
Median / year
$149,310
Top 10% earn
-15.3%
Growth '23–'33
5,150
US workers

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn a median of $122,890 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $122,890, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $98,640 (10th percentile) to $149,310 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 5,150 US workers. New York pays the most ($129,580), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
Share: Post LinkedIn

The pay verdict

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn a median of $122,890, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 91% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #1 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 15.3% by 2033.

$122,890
Median annual wage
Top 9%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#1 of 105
in Production
1.5×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: New York at $129,580. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (SOC 51-8011) pays a national median of $122,890 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $98,640 at the 10th percentile to $149,310 at the 90th, with a mean of $121,380 indicating a compressed distribution clustered near the median. An estimated 5,150 Americans work in this occupation across 5 reporting states and 1 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -15.3% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 400 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New York pays the highest state median at $129,580, which is +5% above the national figure. The top metro is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $112,860 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 5,150 jobs Median $122,890/yr

Median Salary

$122,890

per year

Median Hourly

$59.08/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$121,380

average

Employment

5,150

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$122,890 Top 9% higher than 91% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Below this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). This entry sits in this band. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Nuclear Power Reactor Operators; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators sits on the slower-growing side at -15.3% growth and $122,890 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators sits on the slower-growing side at -15.3% growth and $122,890 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $20000$40000$60000$80000$100000$120000$140000 -20%-15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators sits on the slower-growing side at -15.3% growth and $122,890 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-15.3%

Declining

Annual Openings

400

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Long-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Operations Monitoring 4.0
Operation and Control 4.0
Active Listening 3.9
Critical Thinking 3.9
Monitoring 3.9
Complex Problem Solving 3.8
Writing 3.5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.5
Time Management 3.4

Knowledge Areas

Physics 4.1
Mechanical 3.9
Public Safety and Security 3.7
Mathematics 3.6
Engineering and Technology 3.5
Chemistry 3.4
Design 3.0
English Language 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.9
Education and Training 2.8

Key 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.
  • ▸ Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.
  • ▸ 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.
  • ▸ Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$98,640$109,440$122,890$130,490$149,310
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$47.42$52.61$59.08$62.73$71.78
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$98,640

25th Percentile

$109,440

Median

$122,890

75th Percentile

$130,490

90th Percentile

$149,310

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. New York $129,580 2. Illinois $123,980 3. Alabama $119,000 4. South Carolina $118,620 5. Nebraska $108,650

Lowest Paying States

1. Nebraska $108,650 2. South Carolina $118,620 3. Alabama $119,000 4. Illinois $123,980 5. New York $129,580
View all 5 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 New York $129,580 +5% above national
2 Illinois $123,980 +1% above national
3 Alabama $119,000 3% below national
4 South Carolina $118,620 3% below national
5 Nebraska $108,650 12% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $112,860

Lowest Paying Metros

-3. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $112,860
View all 1 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $112,860 8% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC 51-9191

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

SOC 51-2011

Bakers

SOC 51-3011

Butchers and Meat Cutters

SOC 51-3021

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

SOC 51-7011
Compare Nuclear Power Reactor Operators side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators make? ▼
The median annual salary for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is $122,890 ($59.08/hour). The salary range spans from $98,640 at the 10th percentile to $149,310 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Nuclear Power Reactor Operators the most? ▼
New York pays the highest median salary for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators at $129,580/year, which is +5% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators? ▼
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Nuclear Power Reactor Operators a good career? ▼
Employment for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is projected to decline 15.3% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 400 openings are projected each year.
How does Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pay vary by state? ▼
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is New York at $129,580/year, while New York pays the least at $129,580/year. BLS data covers 5 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC at $112,860/year. BLS reports wage data for 1 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $130,490/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: New York leads at $129,580/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.