Salary guide
Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What nuclear reactor operators earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median nuclear reactor operator salary in the U.S. is $122,890 per year, or $59.08 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $98,640, while the top 10% earned more than $149,310.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Nuclear Reactor Operator pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $98,640 | $47.42 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $109,440 | $52.62 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $122,890 | $59.08 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $130,490 | $62.74 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $149,310 | $71.78 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $109,440 | $122,890 | $130,490 |
| Per month | $9,120 | $10,241 | $10,874 |
| Every two weeks | $4,209 | $4,727 | $5,019 |
| Per week | $2,105 | $2,363 | $2,509 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects nuclear reactor operator pay
- Plant type and employer (nuclear, utility and refinery roles often pay the most)
- Operator qualifications and licenses earned on the job
- Shift differentials, overtime and on-call pay
- Remote and rotational oilfield schedules with per diem
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a nuclear reactor operator
- Get credentialed: NRC Reactor Operator (RO) license, NRC Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license, Non-licensed operator qualification.
- Build specialty experience: Run controls.
- Move up: roles such as senior reactor operator and shift manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Nuclear Reactor Operator pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of nuclear reactor operators to change by -5.9% from 2025–35, a projected decline compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 51-8011 (“Nuclear power reactor operators”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Nuclear Reactor Operator salary FAQ
How much does a nuclear reactor operator make per hour?
The median hourly wage for nuclear reactor operators was $59.08 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $47.42 and the top 10% earned about $71.78 or more.
How much does a nuclear reactor operator make a month?
At the median annual wage of $122,890, that works out to about $10,241 per month before taxes, or about $4,727 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a nuclear reactor operator?
New nuclear reactor operators often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $98,640 and the 25th percentile was $109,440 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can nuclear reactor operators earn more?
Common ways include earning NRC Reactor Operator (RO) license and NRC Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior reactor operator.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-8011 (Nuclear power reactor operators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Nuclear power reactor operators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.