Plant and System Operators, All Other vs Nuclear Power Reactor Operators: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Plant and System Operators, All Other vs Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Compare the evidence side by side. Career Matchup shows the source data without declaring an overall winner.

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$62,470
51% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$122,890
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

Mean annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$65,700
54% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$121,380
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

Hourly median wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$30.03
51% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$59.08
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

Hourly mean wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$31.59
54% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$58.36
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$40,700
41% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$98,640
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$48,900
45% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$109,440
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$78,480
60% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$130,490
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other$94,560
63% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators$149,310
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

National employment

2025

Plant and System Operators, All Other14,080
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators5,150
37% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-8011

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Plant and System Operators, All Other2.3%
39% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators-5.9%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8011

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Plant and System Operators, All Other1.2k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators0.4k
33% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8011

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Plant and System Operators, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8011

Related work experience

2025-2035

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8011

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Plant and System Operators, All OtherModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8099

Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsLong-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-8011

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators4.7 raw · CX scale
92% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Time pressure

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators4.3 raw · CX scale
82% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Spend time standing

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators2.5 raw · CX scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Exposed to contaminants

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators2.5 raw · CX scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators1.1 raw · CX scale
3% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators2.4 raw · CX scale
35% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Critical thinking

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators4 raw · LV scale
57% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Monitoring

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators4 raw · LV scale
57% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Active listening

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3.9 raw · LV scale
55% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Reading comprehension

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3.9 raw · LV scale
55% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Speaking

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3.3 raw · LV scale
46% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Active learning

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3.1 raw · LV scale
45% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Learning strategies

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Science

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators2.9 raw · WI scale
99% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Attention to detail

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators3 raw · WI scale
100% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Stress tolerance

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators2.7 raw · WI scale
95% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Cooperation

Plant and System Operators, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators1.6 raw · WI scale
77% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-8011.00

Explore your next step

Plant and System Operators, All Other

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

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Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Plant and System Operators, All Other

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-8099 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-8099 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-8011 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-8011 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-8011.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.