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BLSSalary

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salary (2025)

Based on 5,150 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025

Official BLS Data
Annual Mean
$121,380
$58.36/hr
Annual Median
$122,890
$59.08/hr
Bottom 10%
$98,640
$47.42/hr
Top 10%
$149,310
$71.78/hr

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$98,640
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$109,440
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$122,890
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$130,490
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$149,310

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$99K

25th

$109K

Median

$123K

75th

$130K

90th

$149K

Highest Paying States for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025

StateAnnual Mean
New York$128,370
Alabama$126,740
Illinois$124,850
Nebraska$115,340
South Carolina$114,610

Geographic Salary Variation

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New York at an average of $128,370 per year, while South Carolina has an average of $114,610 — a difference of $13,760. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.

Highest Paying Metro Areas

Top cities by average annual wage

About Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,150 workers were employed as Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Production Occupations. The annual mean wage of $121,380 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 51-8011

What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($98,640) represents entry-level or part-time Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss, while the 90th percentile ($149,310) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($122,890) is the midpoint — half of all Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
Data sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025. Public domain. Not affiliated with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.