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Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$122,610	400	-10.3%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$122,610

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

400

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

-10.3%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Direct operational or production activities.
Direct operational or production activities.
Direct operational or production activities.
Operate energy production equipment.
Direct operational or production activities.
Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
Document organizational or operational procedures.
Operate energy distribution equipment.
Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
Maintain sustainable energy production equipment.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Operate energy production equipment.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Operate energy production equipment.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Record operational or production data.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Inspect facilities.
Direct operational or production activities.
Direct operational or production activities.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.
Participate in nuclear fuel element handling activities, such as preparation, transfer, loading, or unloading.
Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
Review and edit standard operating procedures.
Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.
Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.
Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.
Supervise technicians' work activities to ensure that equipment is operated in accordance with policies and procedures that protect workers from radiation and ensure environmental safety.
Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.
Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
Direct measurement of the intensity or types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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