Nuclear plant operator vs nuclear unit operator

The differences between nuclear plant operators and nuclear unit operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a nuclear plant operator and a nuclear unit operator. Additionally, a nuclear unit operator has an average salary of $50,879, which is higher than the $46,061 average annual salary of a nuclear plant operator.

Nuclear plant operator vs nuclear unit operator overview

	Nuclear Plant Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$46,061	$50,879
Hourly rate	$22.14	$24.46
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	37,238	44,418
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 67%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Nuclear plant operator vs nuclear unit operator salary

Nuclear plant operators and nuclear unit operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Nuclear Plant Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average salary	$46,061	$50,879
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $31,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between nuclear plant operator and nuclear unit operator education

There are a few differences between a nuclear plant operator and a nuclear unit operator in terms of educational background:

	Nuclear Plant Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Associate Degree, 67%
Most common major	Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Nuclear plant operator vs nuclear unit operator demographics

Here are the differences between nuclear plant operators' and nuclear unit operators' demographics:

	Nuclear Plant Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 1.5% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 1.3% White, 79.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between nuclear plant operator and nuclear unit operator duties and responsibilities

Nuclear plant operator example responsibilities.

Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Specialize in building distillation units used for distilling hazardous chemicals.

Nuclear unit operator example responsibilities.

Manage and direct the development of the sector AOP and of proper controls to ensure program/project spending meets sector expectations.
Ensure continuous control of chemistry vital to operational reactor safety and provide oversight for complex radiological control maintenance.
Complete training as a fire brigade team member at Delgado fire school.

Nuclear plant operator vs nuclear unit operator skills

Common nuclear plant operator skills

Plant Procedures, 12%
Control Room, 10%
Nuclear Reactor, 9%
Emergency Situations, 7%
Nuclear Power, 5%
Radiological, 5%

Common nuclear unit operator skills

Nuclear Plant Operator vs. similar jobs

Nuclear Plant Operator related careers

Nuclear Plant Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Nuclear Plant Operator
Nuclear Plant Operator vs Nuclear Unit Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs