What Does A Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 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.

Salary
$104470
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 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.

  • Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
  • Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
  • Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
  • Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 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. They operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.

A typical day for a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator will also include:

  • Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
  • Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
  • Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.
  • 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.
  • Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators also authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized. They may also conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 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. They might also develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.

In addition, they authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.

To some Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, it is also their responsibility to respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Very High

63% said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$104470 per year

Average hourly wage

$50 per hour

Entry-level Nuclear Power Reactor Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $76,360 to $90,600 per year or $37 to $44 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $133,170 $64
Senior (Top 25%) $121,120 $58
Median $104,040 $50
Junior (Bottom 25%) $90,600 $44
No experience (Bottom 10%) $76,360 $37

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Scientific Research and Development Services $108530 $52.18
Federal Executive Branch $106110 $51.01
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution $104850 $50.41
Local Government $100830 $48.48
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $64260 $30.89

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Nuclear Power Reactor Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Nuclear Power Reactor Operators including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution 4450 $104850 $50.41
Federal Executive Branch 500 $106110 $51.01
Scientific Research and Development Services 140 $108530 $52.18
Local Government 120 $100830 $48.48
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 30 $64260 $30.89

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
30%

More than 40 hours
70%

Working schedule

81%

19%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
12%

Every day
88%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
3%

Every day
97%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
22%

Once a year
21%

Once a month
20%

Once a week
11%

Every day
27%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
28%

Slightly competitive
13%

Moderately competitive
45%

Highly competitive
8%

Extremely competitive
6%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
99%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
19%

Once a year or more
42%

Once a month or more
15%

Once a week or more
16%

Every day
8%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
30%

Once a year or more
46%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
5%

Every day
8%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
46%

Once a year or more
41%

Once a month or more
2%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
8%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
50%

Post-Secondary Certificate
16%

Some College Courses
6%

Associate’s Degree or similar
13%

Bachelor’s Degree
15%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Nuclear Power Technology

A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of research scientists and operating engineers engaged in the running of nuclear reactors, and in nuclear materials processing and disposal. Includes instruction in basic nuclear physics and nuclear engineering, monitoring and safety procedures, radioactive materials handling and disposal, equipment maintenance and operation, and record keeping.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
15%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
11%

1 to 2 years
14%

2 to 4 years
34%

4 to 6 years
20%

6 to 8 years
3%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
3%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
4%

3 to 6 months
6%

6 months to 1 year
33%

1 to 2 years
30%

2 to 4 years
23%

4 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
95%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
24%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
14%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
43%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
57%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
52%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
57%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
52%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
52%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
90%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
48%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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