SOC 51-8011.00 · Nuclear

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: $120,350 Median Pay

Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.

Median Annual Wage

$120,350
BLS OES national median for SOC 51-8011.00.

O*NET Job Zone

3 / 5
Long-term on-the-job training

Sector

Nuclear
20 alternate job titles · 10 related occupations

1. What They Actually Do

Complete task inventory from O*NET (19 tasks).

  1. Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety. (Core)
  2. Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures. (Core)
  3. Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired. (Core)
  4. Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action. (Core)
  5. Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment. (Core)
  6. Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment. (Core)
  7. Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests. (Core)
  8. Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities. (Core)
  9. Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors. (Core)
  10. Participate in nuclear fuel element handling activities, such as preparation, transfer, loading, or unloading. (Core)
  11. Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation. (Core)
  12. Review and edit standard operating procedures. (Core)
  13. Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary. (Core)
  14. Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures. (Supplemental)
  15. Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status. (Supplemental)
  16. Supervise technicians' work activities to ensure that equipment is operated in accordance with policies and procedures that protect workers from radiation and ensure environmental safety. (Supplemental)
  17. Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized. (Supplemental)
  18. Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment. (Supplemental)
  19. Direct measurement of the intensity or types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials. (Supplemental)

2. Required Competencies

2.1 Skills

Operation and Control4.00
Operations Monitoring4.00
Reading Comprehension4.00
Monitoring3.88
Critical Thinking3.88
Active Listening3.88
Complex Problem Solving3.75
Judgment and Decision Making3.50
Writing3.50
Time Management3.38

2.2 Knowledge

Physics4.08
Mechanical3.88
Public Safety and Security3.66
Mathematics3.58
Engineering and Technology3.54
Chemistry3.37
Design3.02
English Language2.93
Computers and Electronics2.85
Education and Training2.80

2.3 Abilities

Problem Sensitivity4.12
Information Ordering4.00
Oral Expression4.00
Written Comprehension4.00
Oral Comprehension4.00
Near Vision3.88
Perceptual Speed3.88
Inductive Reasoning3.88
Deductive Reasoning3.88
Written Expression3.62

2.4 Work Styles

Attention to Detail4.96
Integrity4.84
Dependability4.55
Stress Tolerance4.40
Analytical Thinking4.14
Self-Control3.97
Adaptability/Flexibility3.94
Cooperation3.94
Achievement/Effort3.83
Persistence3.66

3. Day-to-Day Work

3.1 Generalized Work Activities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.73
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.52
Getting Information4.52
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.51
Documenting/Recording Information4.39
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.33
Processing Information4.29
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.26
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.18
Controlling Machines and Processes4.14

3.2 Work Context (5-point scale)

Face-to-Face Discussions5.00
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.99
Telephone4.97
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.91
Work With Work Group or Team4.89
Electronic Mail4.88
Contact With Others4.69
Consequence of Error4.61
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets4.53
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results4.50

4. Education, Training & Experience

Related Work Experience (Years)

Related Work Experience33.5%
Related Work Experience19.8%
Related Work Experience15.3%
Related Work Experience14.4%
Related Work Experience11.1%
Related Work Experience3.0%

Required Level of Education

Required Level of Education50.1%
Required Level of Education15.7%
Required Level of Education15.3%
Required Level of Education12.6%
Required Level of Education6.2%
Required Level of Education0.0%

PT

On-Site or In-Plant Training45.2%
On-Site or In-Plant Training36.7%
On-Site or In-Plant Training10.1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training8.0%
On-Site or In-Plant Training0.0%
On-Site or In-Plant Training0.0%

OJ

On-the-Job Training33.2%
On-the-Job Training29.7%
On-the-Job Training22.9%
On-the-Job Training5.7%
On-the-Job Training4.3%
On-the-Job Training4.3%

5. Interests (Holland Codes)

Realistic5.24
Conventional5.15
Investigative3.25
Enterprising2.70
Social2.17
Artistic1.00

6. Work Values

Support6.33
Working Conditions4.00
Relationships3.67
Recognition3.67
Achievement3.67
Independence3.33

7. Technology & Tools

Software and tools used by people in this role, per O*NET. “Hot” technologies are flagged by O*NET as in-demand.

Microsoft Access 🔥 Microsoft Azure software 🔥 Microsoft Excel 🔥 Microsoft Office software 🔥 Microsoft Power BI 🔥 Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥 Microsoft SharePoint 🔥 Structured query language SQL 🔥 Data logging software Microsoft Power Automate Outage management system OMS Plant information data entry software

8. Also Known As

20 alternate job titles used by employers for this occupation.

Control Operator Control Room Agent Control Room Officer Control Room Operator Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator Licensed Reactor Operator Nuclear Control Operator Nuclear Control Room Non-Licensed Operator Nuclear Control Room Operator Nuclear Operator Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO) Nuclear Power Plant Process Control Worker Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Nuclear Reactor Operator Nuclear Station Operator (NSO) Nuclear Supervising Operator (NSO) Nuclear Unit Operator Power Reactor Operator Reactor Operator (RO) Unit Reactor Operator

9. Related Occupations

Nuclear Technicians
SOC 19-4051.00 · Primary-Short
Power Plant Operators
SOC 51-8013.00 · Primary-Short
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
SOC 51-8013.04 · Primary-Short
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
SOC 19-4051.02 · Primary-Short
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
SOC 51-8021.00 · Primary-Short
Chemical Plant and System Operators
SOC 51-8091.00 · Primary-Long
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
SOC 51-8012.00 · Primary-Long
Gas Plant Operators
SOC 51-8092.00 · Primary-Long
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
SOC 51-8031.00 · Primary-Long
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
SOC 51-8093.00 · Primary-Long

Data source: O*NET Database 29.1 (tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, work context, education, technology, alternate titles, related occupations); BLS OES (median wage).

Last updated: April 2026.