Reactor operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a reactor operator. Reactor operators usually study electrical engineering, business, or nuclear engineering technology. 44% of reactor operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 931 real reactor operator resumes to see exactly what reactor operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for reactor operators are the Thomas Edison State University and the Thomas Edison State University.

There are also many online reactor operator courses to help get the education required to be a reactor operator.

There are certain reactor operator certifications that you should consider. These reactor operator certifications include Certification in Nuclear Medicine and Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma).

What education do you need to become a reactor operator?

What degree do you need to be a reactor operator?

The most common degree for reactor operators is bachelor's degree, with 44% of reactor operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 24% and high school diploma degree at 20%.

Bachelor's, 44%

High School Diploma, 24%

Associate, 20%

Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a reactor operator?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a reactor operator. 12% of reactor operators major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a reactor operator include business and nuclear engineering technology.

Electrical Engineering, 12%

Business, 10%

Nuclear Engineering Technology, 8%

Chemistry, 8%

Other Majors, 62%

Most common colleges for reactor operators

Reactor operators often get their degrees at Thomas Edison State University, Excelsior College, and Thomas College. Here are the most common colleges for reactor operators in the US based on their resumes.

Reactor operator common college	Percentages
Thomas Edison State University	15.91%
Excelsior College	11.36%
Thomas College	11.36%
Ohio State University	6.82%
Missouri University of Science and Technology	4.55%

Show more common reactor operator colleges

Best majors for reactor operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	12.1%
2	Business	9.5%
3	Nuclear Engineering Technology	8.4%
4	Chemistry	8.1%
5	Electrical Engineering Technology	7.3%

Show more common reactor operator majors

Best colleges for reactor operators

The best colleges for reactor operators are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A reactor operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for reactor operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become reactor operators.

1. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

2. University of North Texas

Denton, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,852

Enrollment

31,375

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

20 best online courses for reactor operators

Advertising disclosure

1. Reactive Programming in Modern Java using Project Reactor

4.4

(832)

Learn to write fast performing Asynchronous and Non Blocking code using the Reactive Programming principles and Reactor...

2. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

3. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

4.6

(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

4. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

4.7

(718)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

5. Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P & IDs

4.5

(1,615)

Learn how Process Control, Safety Instrumented Systems, Interlock & Alarms are represented in engineering P & ID drawings...

6. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

4.6

(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

7. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

4.4

(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

8. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

4.6

(518)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

9. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

10. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

4.4

(684)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

11. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes

4.3

(1,105)

Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...

12. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4

4.5

(293)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...

13. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control

4.6

(434)

Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...

14. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

15. Real World SAP - Plant Maintenance Orders and Notifications

4.4

(809)

Learn SAP PM / EAM with a focus on real world scenarios...

16. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 1

4.5

(4,324)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

17. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

4.7

(1,078)

Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...

18. Electrical Control & Protection Part 3

4.7

(435)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...

19. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

4.1

(263)

The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

20. Introduction to Instrumentation

4.7

(334)

This course was developed and based on my experiences (more than 12 years ) in Instrumentation ...

Top 10 most affordable universities for reactor operators

The most affordable schools for reactor operators are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for reactor operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for reactor operators.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

9. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for reactor operators

The hardest universities for reactor operators to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for reactor operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for reactor operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for reactor operators

The easiest schools for reactor operators to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a reactor operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for reactor operators.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

8. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average reactor operator salary by education level

Reactor operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $45,233 annually. With a Associate degree, reactor operators earn a median annual income of $40,932 compared to $38,486 for reactor operators with an High School Diploma degree.

Reactor operator education level	Reactor operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$38,486
Bachelor's Degree	$45,233
Some College/ Associate Degree	$40,932

Reactor operator education FAQs

What is the best college for Reactor Operators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.

Search for reactor operator jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs