Reactor operator vs nuclear auxiliary operator

The differences between reactor operators and nuclear auxiliary 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 nuclear auxiliary operator. Additionally, a nuclear auxiliary operator has an average salary of $53,638, 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 nuclear auxiliary operator are plant procedures, electrical equipment, and emergency response.

Reactor operator vs nuclear auxiliary operator overview

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
Yearly salary	$40,533	$53,638
Hourly rate	$19.49	$25.79
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	30,994	28,460
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Reactor operator vs nuclear auxiliary operator salary

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
Average salary	$40,533	$53,638
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $59,000	Between $33,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between reactor operator and nuclear auxiliary operator education

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies
Most common college	Texas A&M University	Stanford University

Reactor operator vs nuclear auxiliary operator demographics

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
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 nuclear auxiliary 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.

Nuclear auxiliary 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.

Reactor operator vs nuclear auxiliary operator skills

Common reactor operator skills

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

Common nuclear auxiliary operator skills

Plant Procedures, 23%
Electrical Equipment, 19%
Emergency Response, 19%
APS, 16%
Plant Operations, 9%
Routine Tests, 6%

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Reactor Operator
Reactor Operator vs Nuclear Auxiliary Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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