---

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in New York

Thinking about a career as a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in New York? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Make in New York?

For a nuclear power reactor operators working in New York, the median annual wage is $131,520 per year (or about $63.23/hour).Pay can range from $107,120 at the 10th percentile to $165,820 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$107,120	$51.50
25th percentile	$114,870	$55.23
Median (50th)	$131,520	$63.23
75th percentile	$165,820	$79.72
90th percentile	$165,820	$79.72

The job concentration index in New York compared to the national average — is 0.79, indicating fewer nuclear power reactor operators per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, nuclear power reactor operators earn a median of $44,906 per year ($21.59/hour), exceeding the New York median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 187,758 nuclear power reactor operators nationwide. In New York alone, about 280 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 320 nuclear power reactor operators.

Top States for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Employment

These states have the highest employment of nuclear power reactor operators work.

State	Number Employed
Illinois	460
North Carolina	340
South Carolina	320
New York	280
Ohio	150
Nebraska	80

Highest-Paying States for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

These states pay the most for nuclear power reactor operators.

State	Annual Median Salary
New York	$131,520
Ohio	$124,030
South Carolina	$112,070
Nebraska	$111,300
North Carolina	$107,200

Skills

Top nuclear power reactor operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for nuclear power reactor operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, nuclear power reactor operators typically:

• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in nuclear fuel element handling activities, such as preparation, transfer, loading, or unloading.
• Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
• Review and edit standard operating procedures.

Work Activities

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Getting Information
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Processing Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Analyzing Data or Information

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Azure software In-demand technologies: Outage management system OMS

Related Careers

Careers similar to nuclear power reactor operators include:

• Geothermal Production Managers
• Biomass Power Plant Managers
• Hydroelectric Production Managers
• Chemical Engineers
• Nuclear Engineers
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Also Known As

Control Operator, Control Room Agent, Control Room Officer, Control Room Operator, Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator, Licensed Reactor Operator, Nuclear Control Operator, Nuclear Control Room Non-Licensed Operator, Nuclear Control Room Operator, Nuclear Operator, Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO), Nuclear Power Plant Process Control Worker, Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Nuclear Reactor Operator, Nuclear Station Operator (NSO).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-8011.00