Holds an NRC senior operator license to direct reactor operations and supervise the control room crew at a nuclear power plant. BLS does not publish separate figures for nuclear power reactor operators; it counts them within nuclear power reactor operator (SOC 51-8011), whose median pay is $122,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-8011
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Senior Reactor Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $122,890a year, or $59.08/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $99KTop 10% $149K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4005,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20255.2K
- Projected 20354.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 5.2K Projected 2035 4.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school50.1%
- Certificate15.7%
- Some college6.2%
- Associate's12.6%
- Bachelor's15.3%
Highest education held by nuclear power reactor operators Segment Value High school 50.1% Certificate 15.7% Some college 6.2% Associate's 12.6% Bachelor's 15.3%
Also advertised as: SRO, Licensed Senior Reactor Operator, Shift Supervisor, Nuclear, Control Room Supervisor, Shift Manager, Nuclear.
Pay
How much do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators make?
Every senior reactor operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$122,890
Middle half earn $109,440 to $130,490
- 10th
- $98,640
- 25th
- $109,440
- 75th
- $130,490
- 90th
- $149,310
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $98,640 |
| 25th | $109,440 |
| Median | $122,890 |
| 75th | $130,490 |
| 90th | $149,310 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $122,890
- Median hourly wage
- $59.08/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $121,380
- People employed
- 5,150
Versus all US occupations
At $122,890, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn 141% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $71,910 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 156% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $149,310 or more while the bottom 10% earn $98,640, a gap of 1.5×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 85% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
New York posts the highest raw median ($129,580), but once local prices are taken into account Alabama leads at $133,974 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Nuclear Power Reactor Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $129,580 | $120,069 | 230 |
| 2Illinois | $123,980 | $124,032 | 410 |
| 3Alabama | $119,000 | $133,974 | 360 |
| 4South Carolina | $118,620 | $126,529 | 320 |
| 5Nebraska | $108,650 | $120,584 | 50 |
Job outlook
Is Senior Reactor Operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | −5.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Nuclear Power Reactor Operators to change -5.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 7.7% of the 5,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Senior Reactor Operator
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses senior reactor operators under 10 CFR Part 55. Candidates complete a long, site-specific training program run by the utility, covering plant systems, reactor theory, procedures and many hours in a full-scope simulator, then pass the NRC's written exam and operating test.
Many SROs are former licensed reactor operators who upgrade, while others enter through instant SRO programs that accept candidates with engineering degrees or Navy nuclear experience. Licenses require ongoing requalification training, regular exams and medical fitness, and they apply only to the specific plant.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as nuclear power reactor operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)50.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15.7%
- Bachelor's Degree15.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12.6%
- Some College Courses6.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 50.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 15.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 12.6% |
| Some College Courses | 6.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Senior Reactor Operator do?
Senior reactor operators direct the licensed activities of a nuclear power plant's control room. While reactor operators manipulate the controls, the SRO supervises them, approves changes to plant conditions, interprets technical specifications, and makes the decisions about how the plant responds to abnormal events and emergencies.
SROs typically serve as control room supervisors, shift managers or fuel handling supervisors. They authorize maintenance and testing on safety systems, review procedures and plant status, lead the crew through simulator and real transients, and take command in an emergency until the emergency organization is staffed. They also supervise refueling operations, which require a senior operator license.
Day-to-day tasks
- Direct licensed operators in the nuclear plant control room
- Approve changes in reactor power and plant configuration
- Interpret technical specifications and operating limits
- Authorize maintenance and testing on safety-related systems
- Lead the crew through abnormal and emergency procedures
- Supervise fuel handling during refueling outages
- Participate in simulator requalification training and exams
- Review shift logs and turnover plant status to the next crew
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
SROs work in the plant's control room and simulator on rotating shifts that cover nights, weekends and holidays. The environment is controlled and secure, with strict procedures, fitness-for-duty rules and access controls. Weeks of training are built into the rotation, and refueling outages bring longer hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Writing3.5
- Speaking3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5
- Time Management3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Systems Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Senior Reactor Operator?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCE) built on O*NET's Nuclear Power Reactor Operator profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Senior Reactor Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.6
- Conventional5.2
- Enterprising3.3
- Investigative3.1
- Social2.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Senior Reactor Operator
O*NET related occupations
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with nuclear power reactor operators highlighted
- Senior Reactor Operator$122,890
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Senior Reactor Operator | $122,890 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Senior Reactor Operator appears on
Questions
Senior Reactor Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for nuclear power reactor operators. It counts them within nuclear power reactor operator, whose median pay is $122,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $109,440 and $130,490, and the top 10% earn $149,310 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Senior Reactor Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Senior Reactor Operator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Senior Reactor Operator do?
Senior reactor operators direct the licensed activities of a nuclear power plant's control room. A typical task: direct licensed operators in the nuclear plant control room. Employers most often ask for Business intelligence and data analysis software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Nuclear Power Reactor Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators are New York ($129,580), Illinois ($123,980), Alabama ($119,000) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Alabama moves to the top at $133,974.
What personality type suits a Senior Reactor Operator?
O*NET scores Nuclear Power Reactor Operators highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.