Reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator

The differences between 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 reactor operator and a licensed reactor operator. Additionally, a licensed reactor operator has an average salary of $48,455, which is higher than the $40,533 average annual salary of a reactor operator.

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

Reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator overview

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Yearly salary	$40,533	$48,455
Hourly rate	$19.49	$23.30
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	30,994	37,085
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator salary

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

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Average salary	$40,533	$48,455
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $59,000	Between $32,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between reactor operator and licensed reactor operator education

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

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	Texas A&M University	Texas A&M University

Reactor operator vs licensed reactor operator demographics

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

	Reactor Operator	Licensed Reactor Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%
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, 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 reactor operator and licensed reactor 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 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.

Reactor operator vs licensed reactor 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 reactor operator skills

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

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Reactor Operator
Reactor Operator vs Licensed Reactor Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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