Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Nuclear Power Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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