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Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

💰 Earn $109K-$130K
📚 High School Diploma or GED
⏱️ 12–24 Month Training
📈 -5.9% Job Growth
  • Ensure safety and efficiency in energy production with cutting-edge technology.
  • Play a crucial role in maintaining clean, reliable power for communities.
  • Master complex systems to protect the environment and public health.
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Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
What Nuclear Power Reactor Operators DoOperate 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.
  • 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.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationHigh School Diploma or GED
Career ProspectsRisky (Decreasing by 5% or more)
Training Time1 to 2 years
Job Openings400 Annually

Median earnings

California Median

Data not available for California

National Median

$122,890

Most earn within this range

median ▾
$109K25th percentile
$130K75th percentile
Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Influencing or leading others
  • Using data or completing tasks
  • Working with my hands
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Having support
  • Job security
you are skilled in
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Time Management
Go Deeper: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Explained
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
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What Is the Building & Distribution Industry?
Building & Distribution
Building & DistributionThe primary activities of this group involve constructing, installing, repairing, and maintaining physical infrastructure, producing goods and materials, and transporting people and products from one location to another.
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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