What is a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Example 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.

List of Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Job Duties

• Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
• Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.
• Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
• Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.
• Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
• Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator?

When polled, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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

• Senior Reactor Operator
• Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator
• Unit Reactor Operator
• Nuclear Operator
• Control Room Officer

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Job Outlook

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.

Salary for a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

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

How to Become a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

What education or degrees do I need to become a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator?

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

Where Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Nuclear Power Reactor Operators employed by various 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.