What You Need to Know About Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

Career Description 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.

Life As a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: What Do They Do?

• Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
• Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.
• Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
• Supervise technicians' work activities to ensure that equipment is operated in accordance with policies and procedures that protect workers from radiation and ensure environmental safety.
• Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
• Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.

What a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Nuclear Power Reactor Operators say are important on the job.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Senior Reactor Operator
• Control Room Operator
• Nuclear Unit Operator
• Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
• Nuclear Control Room Non-Licensed Operator

Is There Going to be Demand for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,000 jobs in the United States for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator. There will be an estimated 500 positions for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Power Reactor Operator are Washington, Idaho, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Make?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators make between $68,200 and $127,370 a year.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators who work in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, or Mississippi, make the highest salaries.

How much do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators make in each U.S. state?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Illinois	$87,340
Mississippi	$97,040
North Carolina	$101,520
Pennsylvania	$106,870
South Carolina	$80,490
Tennessee	$90,190

What Tools do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Nuclear Power Reactor Operators:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Access
• Data logging software

Becoming a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

Individuals working as a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator?

Where Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Are Employed

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators work in the following industries:

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Siuta B. Ika via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.