Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for nuclear power reactor operators in the U.S. is $122,890 ($59.08 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $122,890
- Mean annual wage
- $121,380
- Median hourly wage
- $59.08
- Employment
- 5,150
5,150 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| 25th percentile | $109,440 | $52.61 |
| Median (50th) | $122,890 | $59.08 |
| 75th percentile | $130,490 | $62.73 |
| 90th percentile | $149,310 | $71.78 |
Highest-paying states for nuclear power reactor operators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $129,580 | 230 |
| Illinois | $123,980 | 410 |
| Alabama | $119,000 | 360 |
| South Carolina | $118,620 | 320 |
| Nebraska | $108,650 | 50 |
Lowest-paying states
- Nebraska: $108,650 median annual wage
- South Carolina: $118,620 median annual wage
- Alabama: $119,000 median annual wage
- Illinois: $123,980 median annual wage
- New York: $129,580 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
- Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
- Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- Review and edit standard operating procedures.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 27.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 32.3% |
| Associate's degree | 17.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 17.6% |
| Master's degree | 3.6% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.