Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Nuclear Technicians
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Power Plant Operators
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Chemical Technicians
CAREER
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$104,040
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-35.7% (decline)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
What Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Do
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.
Other Job Titles Nuclear Power Reactor Operators May Have
Licensed Reactor Operator, Nuclear Control Operator, Nuclear Control Room Operator, Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO), Nuclear Power Reactor Operator, Nuclear Reactor Operator, Nuclear Station Operator (NSO), Nuclear Supervising Operator (NSO), Nuclear Unit Operator, Reactor Operator (RO)
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Some college, no degree (32%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
