Average Salary for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
SOC 51-8011 · Production Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in the United States is $122,610 ($58.95/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $99,300 at the 10th percentile to $152,690 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 5,720 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 48.6% since 2014.
Median Annual
$122,610
Mean Annual
$122,830
10th Pct
$99,300
75th Pct
$131,520
Employment
5,720
Salary Distribution
$99k
10th
$107k
25th
$123k
Median
$132k
75th
$153k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $111,210 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| New York | $131,520 |
| Ohio | $124,030 |
| South Carolina | $112,070 |
| Nebraska | $111,300 |
| North Carolina | $107,200 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $123,740 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $123,740 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $122,910 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $122,810 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $122,810 |
| Utilities | $122,810 |
| Utilities | $122,810 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $122,470 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $122,470 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $122,470 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $118,440 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $118,440 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $118,440 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $118,440 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $113,130 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $113,130 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $113,130 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $113,130 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $111,300 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $89,130 |
| Educational Services | $71,570 |
| Educational Services | $71,570 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $71,570 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $122,610 |
| 2023 | $120,350 |
| 2022 | $115,870 |
| 2021 | $104,260 |
| 2020 | $104,040 |
| 2019 | $100,530 |
| 2018 | $94,350 |
| 2017 | $93,370 |
| 2016 | $91,170 |
| 2015 | $88,560 |
| 2014 | $82,500 |