Reactor operator vs power reactor operator

The differences between reactor operators and power 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 power reactor operator. Additionally, a power reactor operator has an average salary of $52,542, 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 power reactor operator are nuclear reactor, nuclear power, and plant equipment.

Reactor operator vs power reactor operator overview

	Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Yearly salary	$40,533	$52,542
Hourly rate	$19.49	$25.26
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	30,994	28,448
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Reactor operator vs power reactor operator salary

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

	Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Average salary	$40,533	$52,542
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $59,000	Between $34,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between reactor operator and power reactor operator education

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

	Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Mechanical Engineering
Most common college	Texas A&M University	Purdue University

Reactor operator vs power reactor operator demographics

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

	Reactor Operator	Power Reactor Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%
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 power 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.

Power reactor operator example responsibilities.

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 power 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 power reactor operator skills

Nuclear Reactor, 42%
Nuclear Power, 36%
Plant Equipment, 21%

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Reactor Operator
Reactor Operator vs Power Reactor Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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