Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salaries by State
Mean and median pay, wage percentiles, employment, and top-paying metro areas for nuclear power reactor operatorss across the U.S. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (data.bls.gov OEWS tool /OESServices/combo/table, all-occupation crawl by area).
Job Outlook, 2024–2034
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Salary Map
Brighter tiles = higher average pay; dashed tiles have no data. Click a state for details.
💰 Top 5 Highest-Paying States
- New York$128,370
- Alabama$126,740
- Illinois$124,850
- Nebraska$115,340
- South Carolina$114,610
📉 5 Lowest-Paying States
- South Carolina$114,610
- Nebraska$115,340
- Illinois$124,850
- Alabama$126,740
- New York$128,370
State Rankings
| # | State | Mean | Median | Hourly | vs. U.S. | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $128,370 | $129,580 | $62 | +5.8% | 230 |
| 2 | Alabama | $126,740 | $119,000 | $61 | +4.4% | 360 |
| 3 | Illinois | $124,850 | $123,980 | $60 | +2.9% | 410 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $115,340 | $108,650 | $55 | -5% | 50 |
| 5 | South Carolina | $114,610 | $118,620 | $55 | -5.6% | 320 |
Top-Paying Metro Areas
Highest median pay among 1 metro areas.
| # | Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $112,860 | $115,510 | — |
Pay by Industry
Highest-paying industries employing nuclear power reactor operatorss (BLS OEWS, by median).
| # | Industry | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $131,100 | $124,250 | 110 |
| 2 | Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $131,100 | $124,250 | 110 |
| 3 | Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS | $127,090 | $132,280 | 590 |
| 4 | Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $127,090 | $134,480 | 480 |
| 5 | Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $127,090 | $134,480 | 480 |
| 6 | Sector 99 - Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS | $127,090 | $132,280 | 590 |
| 7 | Utilities | $122,890 | $120,700 | 4,030 |
| 8 | Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $122,890 | $120,700 | 4,030 |
| 9 | Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $122,890 | $120,750 | 4,000 |
| 10 | Cross-Industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local | $122,890 | $121,380 | 5,150 |
| 11 | Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $122,890 | $120,300 | 4,500 |
| 12 | Sector 22 - Utilities | $122,890 | $120,700 | 4,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear power reactor operators make in the U.S.?
The median nuclear power reactor operators salary in the United States is $122,890 per year (mean $121,380), and about 80% earn between $98,640 and $149,310.
How much do nuclear power reactor operators make per hour?
Roughly $58 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $121,380 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Which state pays nuclear power reactor operators the most?
New York has the highest average pay for nuclear power reactor operators at $128,370 per year (median $129,580).
What is the job outlook for nuclear power reactor operators?
Employment is projected to change -15.3% from 2024 to 2034 (Decline), with about 400 openings per year.