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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.
Other titles employers use
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)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Physics
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.9 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.4 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 50%
- A certificate or some college 22%
- A four-year degree 15%
- A two-year degree 13%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Enterprise application integration software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Presentation software
- Document management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 410
- Job openings each year
- 30
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 2.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 410 | 30 | 2.5% |
| North Carolina | 340 | 30 | 6.3% |
| Tennessee | 330 | 30 | 10.0% |
| New York | 270 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 220 | 20 | 15.8% |
| New Jersey | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Arizona | 130 | 10 | — |
| Ohio | 130 | 10 | −7.1% |
| Nebraska | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Maryland | 90 | 10 | — |
| Washington | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.