How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $59.08 an hour or $10,240 a month.
- Hourly
- $59.08
- Average (mean)
- $121,400
- Jobs
- 5,150
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $98,640 | $47.42 | |
| 25th | $109,400 | $52.62 | |
| Median | $122,900 | $59.08 | |
| 75th | $130,500 | $62.74 | |
| 90th | $149,300 | $71.78 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| New York | $129,600 |
| Illinois | $124,000 |
| Alabama | $119,000 |
| South Carolina | $118,600 |
| Nebraska | $108,700 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Charlotte, NC | $112,900 |
In other countries
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator belongs to the international group "Power production plant operators".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Power Distributor and Dispatcher$106,700
- Power Plant Operator$102,000
- Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator$78,620
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$60,020
- Chemical Plant and System Operator$78,120
- Gas Plant Operator$87,820
- Petroleum Pump System Operator$96,710
- Plant and System Operator$62,470
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $59.08 ($122,900 a year).
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make a month?
About $10,240 a month before tax, based on a median of $122,900 a year.
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $98,640 or less a year ($47.42 an hour); the top 10% make $149,300 or more.
Which state pays nuclear power reactor operators the most?
New York, with a median of $129,600 a year, followed by Illinois ($124,000) and Alabama ($119,000).
Which city pays nuclear power reactor operators the most?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, with a median of $112,900 a year.
How many nuclear power reactor operators are there in the United States?
About 5,150 people work as nuclear power reactor operators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.