Nuclear reactor operator vs power reactor operator

The differences between nuclear reactor operators and power 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 power reactor operator. Additionally, a power reactor operator has an average salary of $52,542, which is higher than the $51,694 average annual salary of a nuclear 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 power reactor operator are nuclear reactor, nuclear power, and plant equipment.

Nuclear reactor operator vs power reactor operator overview

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Yearly salary	$51,694	$52,542
Hourly rate	$24.85	$25.26
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	33,183	28,448
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Nuclear reactor operator vs power reactor operator salary

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Average salary	$51,694	$52,542
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $81,000	Between $34,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between nuclear reactor operator and power reactor operator education

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Stanford University	Purdue University

Nuclear reactor operator vs power reactor operator demographics

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

	Nuclear Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%	Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%
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, 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 reactor operator and power 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.

Power reactor operator example responsibilities.

Ensure continuous control of chemistry vital to operational reactor safety and provide oversight for complex radiological control maintenance.
Authore multiple watch station examinations and PowerPoint presentations.

Nuclear reactor operator vs power 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 power reactor operator skills

Nuclear Reactor, 42%
Nuclear Power, 36%
Plant Equipment, 21%

Nuclear Reactor Operator vs. similar jobs

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Nuclear Reactor Operator
Nuclear Reactor Operator vs Power Reactor Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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