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The differences between nuclear engineers and reactor engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a nuclear engineer has an average salary of $99,677, which is higher than the $98,752 average annual salary of a reactor engineer.
The top three skills for a nuclear engineer include security clearance, oversight and project management. The most important skills for a reactor engineer are DOE, technical specifications, and NRC.
| Nuclear Engineer | Reactor Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,677 | $98,752 |
| Hourly rate | $47.92 | $47.48 |
| Growth rate | -11% | -11% |
| Number of jobs | 8,747 | 3,227 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A nuclear engineer directs the operation and maintenance of operational nuclear power plants. Nuclear engineers make sure that the power plants are efficient and in conformity with the safety standards. They research and create instruments, systems, and processes to derive the benefits of nuclear radiation and energy. Their duties and responsibilities include finding the medical and industrial uses of radioactive materials. They also perform other tasks related to nuclear technology and radiation.
Range technicians monitor land conditions, utilizing various types of equipment. They are responsible for supervising range use and investigating unauthorized use without permits, and also have involvement in the inspection and maintenance of range improvement projects. Technicians will have experience in ranch hand and crop management. Also, skills in communication, analysis, and problem-solving will be a plus.
Nuclear engineers and reactor engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nuclear Engineer | Reactor Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,677 | $98,752 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $147,000 | Between $67,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Baker Hughes | Expensify |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Professional |
There are a few differences between a nuclear engineer and a reactor engineer in terms of educational background:
| Nuclear Engineer | Reactor Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Nuclear Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between nuclear engineers' and reactor engineers' demographics:
| Nuclear Engineer | Reactor Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |