Reactor operator vs licensed nuclear operator

The differences between reactor operators and licensed nuclear 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 reactor operator and a licensed nuclear operator. Additionally, a licensed nuclear operator has an average salary of $51,011, which is higher than the $40,533 average annual salary of a reactor operator.

Reactor operator vs licensed nuclear operator overview

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Nuclear Operator
Yearly salary	$40,533	$51,011
Hourly rate	$19.49	$24.52
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	30,994	38,357
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Reactor operator vs licensed nuclear operator salary

Reactor operators and licensed nuclear operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Nuclear Operator
Average salary	$40,533	$51,011
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $59,000	Between $29,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between reactor operator and licensed nuclear operator education

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

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Nuclear Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Nuclear Engineering
Most common college	Texas A&M University	University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Reactor operator vs licensed nuclear operator demographics

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

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Nuclear Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 1.5% White, 76.6% 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 reactor operator and licensed nuclear operator duties and responsibilities

Reactor operator example responsibilities.

Operate batch and continuous type reactors, high-pressure reactors, centrifuges, filters and solvent distillation equipment.
Coordinate a team of operators and contractors performing leak rate testing (LLRT) within a 17-day outage window.
Monitor, and adjust: modulation, frequency, audio, and antenna current in compliance with FCC regulations.
Maintain and perform troubleshooting on CD/DVD replication equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Participate in project teams for critical on-line system outages or refueling outages.

Licensed nuclear 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.
Authore multiple watch station examinations and PowerPoint presentations.

Reactor operator vs licensed nuclear operator skills

Common reactor operator skills

Personnel Safety, 11%
Plant Operations, 8%
Nuclear Reactor, 6%
Control Room, 6%
Corrective Maintenance, 5%
NRC, 4%

Common licensed nuclear operator skills

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Reactor Operator
Reactor Operator vs Licensed Nuclear Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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