Reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator

The differences between 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 reactor operator and a nuclear unit operator. Additionally, a nuclear unit operator has an average salary of $50,879, which is higher than the $40,533 average annual salary of a reactor operator.

Reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator overview

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$40,533	$50,879
Hourly rate	$19.49	$24.46
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	30,994	44,418
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 67%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator salary

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average salary	$40,533	$50,879
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $59,000	Between $31,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between reactor operator and nuclear unit operator education

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Associate Degree, 67%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Texas A&M University	Northwestern University

Reactor operator vs nuclear unit operator demographics

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

	Reactor Operator	Nuclear Unit Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
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 nuclear unit 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 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.

Reactor operator vs nuclear unit 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 unit operator skills

Reactor Operator vs. similar jobs

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Reactor Operator
Reactor Operator vs Nuclear Unit Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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