How much does a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator make?
A Nuclear Power Reactor Operator earns a median annual salary of $122,890 in the United States, which works out to roughly $59.08 per hour for full-time work. Most Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn between $98,640 at the entry level and $149,310 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $109,440 and $130,490 a year.
That is $61,500 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary range by percentile
Half of all Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn between $109,440 and $130,490 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,640 | $47.42 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,440 | $52.62 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $122,890 | $59.08 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $130,490 | $62.74 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,310 | $71.78 |
Highest-paying states for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator pay at $129,580 a year, followed by Illinois ($123,980) and Alabama ($119,000). At the other end, Nebraska posts the lowest median at $108,650 — a gap of $20,930 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $129,580 | $62.30 | +5% |
| 2 | Illinois | $123,980 | $59.61 | +1% |
| 3 | Alabama | $119,000 | $57.21 | -3% |
| 4 | South Carolina | $118,620 | $57.03 | -3% |
| 5 | Nebraska | $108,650 | $52.24 | -12% |
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 5 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 5,000 people work as Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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