Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-8011
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Azure software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Outage management system OMS, Structured query language SQL, Air compressors, Air monitoring equipment

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Nuclear Technicians
• Power Plant Operators
• Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
• Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
• Chemical Plant and System Operators
• Gas Plant Operators
• Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.