Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for nuclear power reactor operators is $122,890, or $59.08 per hour. About 5,150 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $129,580 in New York to $108,650 in Nebraska.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 5 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear power reactor operators make?
The median annual wage for nuclear power reactor operators in the United States is $122,890, or $59.08 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $98,640, and the top 10% earn $149,310.
How many nuclear power reactor operators are employed in the U.S.?
About 5,150 people work as nuclear power reactor operators nationwide.
Which state pays nuclear power reactor operators the most?
New York pays the most at a median of $129,580, followed by Illinois ($123,980) and Alabama ($119,000).
Which state pays nuclear power reactor operators the least?
Nebraska has the lowest median at $108,650.
Where are nuclear power reactor operators jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Alabama at 5.13×.