Power reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator

The differences between power reactor 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 power reactor operator and a nuclear unit operator. Additionally, a power reactor operator has an average salary of $52,542, which is higher than the $50,879 average annual salary of a nuclear unit operator.

Power reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator overview

	Power Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$52,542	$50,879
Hourly rate	$25.26	$24.46
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	28,448	44,418
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Associate Degree, 67%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Power reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator salary

Power reactor operators and nuclear unit operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Power Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average salary	$52,542	$50,879
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $80,000	Between $31,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between power reactor operator and nuclear unit operator education

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

	Power Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 83%	Associate Degree, 67%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Purdue University	Northwestern University

Power reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator demographics

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

	Power Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratio	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%	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 power reactor operator and nuclear unit operator duties and responsibilities

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 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.

Power reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator skills

Common power reactor operator skills

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

Common nuclear unit operator skills

Power Reactor Operator vs. similar jobs

Power Reactor Operator related careers

Power Reactor Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Operator responsibilities

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Power Reactor Operator
Power Reactor Operator vs Nuclear Unit Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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