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Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Nuclear Plant Control Operator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Plant Control Operator in the United States is $72,703 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,717
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,166 to $77,944
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,753
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salaries

A Nuclear Plant Control Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $62,256
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,573
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $91,299
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $105,729
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,570
Levels Salary
Commercia... Level Nuclear Plant Control Operator$62,256
Nuclear P... Level Nuclear Plant Control Operator$73,573
Commercia... Level Nuclear Plant Control Operator$91,299
Commercia... Level Nuclear Plant Control Operator$105,729
Commercia... Level Nuclear Plant Control Operator$120,570
View as Graph

How Do Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Nuclear Plant Control Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $80,496.
  • California: $80,191.
  • Massachusetts: $79,122.

Top Paying Cities for Nuclear Plant Control Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $91,700
  • San Francisco: $90,696
  • Oakland: $88,784

What Skills Can Increase a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 20.47% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.16% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Customer Care (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): Customer care is the process of building an emotional connection with your customers, whereas customer service is simply the advice or assistance your business provides them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 20.47%
Microsoft Office 2.16%
Customer Care 1.16%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's salary.

  • Customer Care: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Credit Risk: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Care $90,151
24%
Process Improvement $79,246
9%
Credit Risk $77,792
7%
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Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nuclear Plant Control Operator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Nuclear Plant Control Operator positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nuclear Plant Control Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Nuclear Plant Control Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$79,973$38.010%

How Education impacts a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Plant Control Operators enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Nuclear Plant Control Operator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,942 and $75,270).

Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nuclear Plant Control Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.5%
High School 2.5%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 66.7%
Masters 28.0%
Doctorate 0.7%
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Nuclear Plant Control Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nuclear Plant Control Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$60,166
Average $72,703/year
$77,944
$5,014
Average $6,059/month
$6,495
$1,157
Average $1,398/week
$1,499
$29
Average $35/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,944 $6,495 $1,499 $37
Average $72,703 $6,059 $1,398 $35
25th Percentile $60,166 $5,014 $1,157 $29

Most common benefits for Nuclear Plant Control Operator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Nuclear Plant Control Operator

Here are companies hiring for Nuclear Plant Control Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Nuclear Plant Control Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Nuclear Plant Control Operator?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Nuclear Plant Control Operator roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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