Nuclear reactor operator vs chemical operator

The differences between nuclear reactor operators and chemical operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a nuclear reactor operator, becoming a chemical operator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a nuclear reactor operator has an average salary of $51,694, which is higher than the $40,526 average annual salary of a chemical operator.

The top three skills for a nuclear reactor operator include nuclear reactor, electrical equipment and plant operations. The most important skills for a chemical operator are safety procedures, math, and process equipment.

Nuclear reactor operator vs chemical operator overview

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Chemical Operator
Yearly salary	$51,694	$40,526
Hourly rate	$24.85	$19.48
Growth rate	-15%	4%
Number of jobs	33,183	36,522
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	46	47
Years of experience	4	6

Nuclear reactor operator vs chemical operator salary

Nuclear reactor operators and chemical operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Chemical Operator
Average salary	$51,694	$40,526
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $81,000	Between $31,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Westinghouse Appliances Australia
Best paying industry	-	Pharmaceutical

Differences between nuclear reactor operator and chemical operator education

There are a few differences between a nuclear reactor operator and a chemical operator in terms of educational background:

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Chemical Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Nuclear reactor operator vs chemical operator demographics

Here are the differences between nuclear reactor operators' and chemical operators' demographics:

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Chemical Operator
Average age	46	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 1.5% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	5%	11%

Differences between nuclear reactor operator and chemical operator duties and responsibilities

Nuclear reactor operator example responsibilities.

Manage and direct the development of the sector AOP and of proper controls to ensure program/project spending meets sector expectations.
Maintain proficiency in radiological controls and radioactive material handling with continuous training exams given monthly.
Regenerate demineralizers associate with water plant operation.

Chemical operator example responsibilities.

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Add dye to chemical to be mix.
Mix chemicals together to make a base for dye.
License by the NRC for operation of facility reactor.
Provide the QC lab with batch samples as instructed by formula cards for quality disposition.
Use Hmi's to control the product being make and sending it to storage tanks.

Nuclear reactor operator vs chemical operator skills

Common nuclear reactor operator skills

Nuclear Reactor, 15%
Electrical Equipment, 11%
Plant Operations, 7%
Emergency Situations, 6%
Nuclear Power, 5%
Corrective Maintenance, 5%

Common chemical operator skills

Safety Procedures, 8%
Math, 5%
Process Equipment, 5%
Basic Math, 4%
Minor Maintenance, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

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Nuclear Reactor Operator
Nuclear Reactor Operator vs Chemical Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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