As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Nuclear Reactor Operator in Buffalo, NY is $105,098, equivalent to $51 per hour, $2,021 weekly, or $8,758 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Nuclear Reactor Operator in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Nuclear Reactor Operator in Buffalo, NY vary widely, spanning from $91,607 to $117,770. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($98,036) and 75th percentile ($111,731), while top earners (90th percentile) make $117,770 per year. This $13,695 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Construction Management, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Buffalo Nuclear Reactor Operator often earn 9.0% lower than national averages. However, Buffalo currently ranks 478 statewide for Nuclear Reactor Operator job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Nuclear Reactor Operator Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary $91,607 Buffalo, NY May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary $98,036 Buffalo, NY May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary $105,098 Buffalo, NY May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary $111,731 Buffalo, NY May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary $117,770 Buffalo, NY May 01, 2026
25% $98,036 10% $91,607 90% $117,770 75% $111,731 $105,098 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Nuclear Reactor Operator jobs in Buffalo, New York

Senior Reactor Operator

Constellation Energy - East Palmyra, NY

Senior Reactor Operator

Constellation Energy - Brighton, NY

Senior Reactor Operator

Constellation Energy - Gates, NY

Senior Reactor Operator

Constellation Energy - Sodus, NY

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What is a Nuclear Reactor Operator ?

A reactor operator (or nuclear reactor operator) is an individual at a nuclear power plant who is responsible for directly controlling a nuclear reactor from a control panel and is the only individual at a nuclear power plant who can directly alter significant amounts of reactor reactivity. The reactor operator occupies a position of great responsibility that may require him or her to start up a nuclear reactor, shut down a critical nuclear reactor, monitor reactor parameters, or respond to a casualty of the nuclear reactor. All reactor operators are required to be licensed or qualified by ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

See user submitted job responsibilities for Nuclear Reactor Operator.

Job Openings for Nuclear Reactor Operator in Buffalo, NY

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Nuclear Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Nuclear Reactor Operator

    4 - 7 years experience
    Master's Degree or MBA

  3. Up a level:

    Nuclear Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Master's Degree or MBA

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Nuclear Reactor Operator, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
98036
111731
105098

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
113469
138726
125095
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Nuclear Reactor Operator in Buffalo, NY. The base salary for Nuclear Reactor Operator ranges from $98,036 to $111,731 with the average base salary of $105,098. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $113,469 to $138,726 with the average total cash compensation of $125,095.

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For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

98036
111731

 

About Buffalo, New York    Buffalo is the second largest city in the U.S. state of New York and the largest city in Western New York. As of July 2016[update], the population was....More

Buffalo, New York  area prices were up 1.5% from a year ago

Nuclear Reactor Operator Salary in popular cities: New YorkRochesterYonkers

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Jobs with a similar salary range to Nuclear Reactor Operator : Nuclear Operator, React Engineer, Reactor Engineer