Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Nuclear Power Reactor Operators does

You control and monitor nuclear reactors that generate electricity, managing fission reactions and safety systems in a highly regulated environment. This critical role demands extensive training and strict adherence to safety protocols.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.

Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — $74,450/yr
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $53,750/yr
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — $43,220/yr
• Machinists — $58,750/yr