Nuclear reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator

The differences between nuclear reactor operators and licensed reactor 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 reactor operator and a licensed reactor operator. Additionally, a nuclear reactor operator has an average salary of $51,694, which is higher than the $48,455 average annual salary of a licensed reactor operator.

The top three skills for a nuclear reactor operator include nuclear reactor, electrical equipment and plant operations. The most important skills for a licensed reactor operator are control room operations, plant operations, and NRC.

Nuclear reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator overview

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Yearly salary	$51,694	$48,455
Hourly rate	$24.85	$23.30
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	33,183	37,085
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Nuclear reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator salary

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Average salary	$51,694	$48,455
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $81,000	Between $32,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between nuclear reactor operator and licensed reactor operator education

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Texas A&M University

Nuclear reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator demographics

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%
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, 6.1% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 1.5% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between nuclear reactor operator and licensed reactor 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.

Licensed reactor operator example responsibilities.

Complete the NRC PWR fundamentals exam and subsequently withdrawn for short term disability.
Assume role as lead intern during the licensing period to train and ensure other interns pass the NRC exam.
Implement tool control and OSHA safety regulations while working independently on various machinery.
Work with DeltaV software for reactor control and production.

Nuclear reactor operator vs licensed reactor 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 licensed reactor operator skills

Control Room Operations, 16%
Plant Operations, 15%
NRC, 11%
Plant Equipment, 10%
Collection Systems, 10%
CDL, 8%

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Nuclear Reactor Operator
Nuclear Reactor Operator vs Licensed Reactor Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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