Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois
Thinking about a career as a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Illinois?
We don’t have state-specific wage data for this career in Illinois. See national-level wages below.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, nuclear power reactor operators earn a median of $44,906 per year ($21.59/hour).
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 187,758 nuclear power reactor operators nationwide. In Illinois alone, about 460 people work in this role. That’s more 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
The highest-paying states 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
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most 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
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Nuclear & Radiological Technology
Featured schools near , edit
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
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