A reactor operator is licensed to manipulate the controls of a nuclear reactor which may alter reactivity and change the power level. Typically, this means that a reactor operator is qualified to remotely operate control rods and other remote actions required to control the reactor as desired (within regulatory requirements).
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How to become a nuclear reactor operator?
Nuclear power reactor operator skills
- Critical thinking. Nuclear power reactor operators must frequently make complex decisions regarding the operations of a nuclear power plant.
- Literacy and numeracy. ...
- Equipment operations. ...
- Systems monitoring. ...
- Technology. ...
How do I become a nuclear power reactor operator?
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How much does a nuclear reactor operator make?
How much money does a nuclear reactor operator make? The average salary for a nuclear power reactor operator is $67,085 per year in the United States. How long does it take to become a senior reactor operator? Those without a reactor operator license can apply for the senior reactor operator license after 18 months of power plant experience.
What is a senior reactor operator?
A senior reactor operator, also called a nuclear operator, is a high-level professional who oversees the control panel of a nuclear reactor. This individual is responsible for making adjustments to the reactor reactivity.
How do you become a reactor operator?
To become licensed, operators must meet training and experience requirements, pass a medical exam, and pass the NRC licensing exam. To keep their license, operators must pass a plant-operating exam each year, pass a medical exam every 2 years, and apply for renewal of their license every 6 years.
How long does it take to become a reactor operator?
To obtain an NRC operating license, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive training program at a nuclear site and pass a comprehensive examination administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The site training programs are usually 18 to 24 months in duration.
How many licensed reactor operators are in the US?
3,900As of July 2019, there are approximately 3,900 active NRC-licensed power reactor operators in the United States.
How much do reactors get paid?
National estimates for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators:Percentile10%50% (Median)Hourly Wage$ 38.33$ 50.13Annual Wage (2)$ 79,720$ 104,260
Is being a plant operator worth it?
Many power plant operators are able to find lucrative employment. According to the BLS, power plant operators earned a median annual salary of $84,650 in May 2020. The top 10% of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers earned over $121,490 per year.
Is being a power plant operator easy?
Power plant operators and dispatchers undergo rigorous, long-term on-the-job training and technical instruction. Several years of onsite training and experience are necessary for a worker to become fully qualified.
Is nuclear operator a good job?
As of 2018, nuclear operators earn a median annual salary of $83,020. The occupation employees roughly 54,700 people, with most working for public utilities and a small number working for governments. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in this field will decline until 2026.
What skills do you need to be a power plant operator?
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers should also possess the following specific qualities:Concentration skills. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must be careful, attentive, and persistent. ... Detail oriented. ... Dexterity. ... Mechanical skills. ... Problem-solving skills.
What is an NRC license?
The NRC licenses all commercially owned nuclear power plants that produce electricity in the United States. After the initial license is granted, the license may be amended, renewed, transferred, or otherwise modified, depending on activities that affect the reactor during its operating life.
Is Nuclear Power Reactor Operator hard?
in Physics or a B.E. in Nuclear Engineering, to become a licensed nuclear reactor operator, you do have to meet extremely tough standards in experience and knowledge before being able to take the controls of a nuclear power plant as an RO or SRO.
Does working in nuclear plant pay well?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $163,500 and as low as $20,500, the majority of Nuclear Power Plant salaries currently range between $63,500 (25th percentile) to $145,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $159,000 annually across the United States.
What is a Senior Reactor Operator?
A senior reactor operator supervises the reactor operators. The license is issued after the individual passes both a written exam and an operating test. The senior reactor operator exam also measures the individual's ability to direct licensed operators.
What We Regulate
The NRC licenses all individuals who either operate or supervise the operation of the controls of a commercially owned nuclear power reactor or a test/research (i.e., non-power) reactor in the United States.
How We Regulate
NRC regulates the licensing of reactor operators and senior operators through a combination of regulatory requirements: initial licensing, including written examinations and operating tests; oversight of requalification training and examination programs, including enforcement. For more detail, see:
Licensed Reactor Operator Careers
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a licensed reactor operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.26 an hour? That's $37,979 a year!
Licensed Reactor Operator Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a licensed reactor operator can determine their career goals through the career progression.
Average Salary for a Licensed Reactor Operator
Licensed Reactor Operators in America make an average salary of $37,979 per year or $18 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $48,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $29,000 per year.
Top Skills For a Licensed Reactor Operator
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on.
How Do Licensed Reactor Operator Rate Their Jobs?
Rate how you like work as Licensed Reactor Operator. It's anonymous and will only take a minute.
What is a 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.
How much does a reactor operator make?
The median annual salary for a licensed reactor operator is $140,000 - $200,000 a year plus bonuses and other monetary benefits.
How long does it take to become a nuclear power plant operator?
A high school diploma. At least 3 years of power plant experience with at least 1 year of experience at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed (not including time spent as a control room operator). At least 6 months of experience performing plant operational duties at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed. ...
How many years of experience is required to operate a nuclear power plant?
At least 3 years of site specific nuclear power plant experience is required instead of 3 years of general power plant experience. A bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or physical science is required unless the operator has had 1 year of experience as a licensed reactor operator or 2 years of experience qualified in certain ...
Associate Equipment Operator - Entry-Level Operations at Nin..
Starts, stops, controls and monitors nuclear reactor and auxiliary reactor systems, as required for plant operations, including taking manual control of…
Senior Reactor Operator
SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR, Nuclear Reactor Lab (2 openings), to maintain a senior reactor operator license to operate the MITR-II research reactor and perform the…
Entry Level Operations-Equipment Operator-Peach Bottom Nucle..
Starts, stops, controls and monitors nuclear reactor and auxiliary reactor systems, as required for plant operations, including taking manual control of…
Equipment Operator Nuclear - Entry Level Operations -Enginee..
Starts, stops, controls and monitors nuclear reactor and auxiliary reactor systems, as required for plant operations, including taking manual control of…
Operator
Assisting Panel Board Operator in the charging of raw materials to reactors 5%.
Refinery Process Operator
Operates and monitors facility equipment and utilities such as chemical injections, steam generators, boilers, pumps, gas compressors, pulling samples, sample…
What is a reactor operator?
These are reactor operators (ROs), responsible for manipulating the controls of nuclear reactors, and senior reactor operators (SROs), who direct the licensed activities of ROs. Applicants for an RO license must have at least three years of power plant experience, including at least six months at the plant where they are currently employed ...
How many months of military service do you need to work at a nuclear power plant?
Some of these experience requirements can be met through military service – in general, an applicant can receive six months credit for every year’s experience working at a military propulsion plant such as a nuclear-powered warship. It’s also important to note that reactor operators work for the commercial nuclear power plant owners, not the NRC, ...
Do you need a B.S. in Physics to be a nuclear engineer?
So while you don’t need a B.S. in Physics or a B.E. in Nuclear Engineering, to become a licensed nuclear reactor operator, you do have to meet extremely tough standards in experience and knowledge before being able to take the controls of a nuclear power plant as an RO or SRO. John Munro.
Do reactor operators work for the NRC?
It’s also important to note that reactor operators work for the commercial nuclear power plant owners, not the NRC, although it’s the NRC license that makes them eligible to do the job. The licensing process for reactor operators is described in detail on the NRC website.
How to become a nuclear power plant operator in Massachusetts?
In order to become licensed to operate a nuclear power plant in Massachusetts you must pass the written and oral exam. Once the completed application has been received you will be registered for the next exam date.
What is a nuclear power plant supervisor?
The Nuclear Power Plant Senior Supervising Engineer license is for people who supervise and coordinate the activities of workers engaged in operation and control of thermonuclear reactor, turbine generator, and auxiliary equipment at electric generation station. They oversee the activities and the training of workers in safety precautions, repair, and maintenance.