Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in Illinois
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois earn a median of $123,980 a year ($59.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,950 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $122,890. Illinois ranks 2nd of 5 states for nuclear power reactor operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 nuclear power reactor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear power reactor operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,760 | $50.36 |
| 25th percentile | $119,100 | $57.26 |
| Median | $123,980 | $59.60 |
| 75th percentile | $130,500 | $62.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Average (mean) | $124,850 | $60.03 |
Half of nuclear power reactor operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,331.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,165.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,768.46 |
| Weekly | $2,384.23 |
| Hourly | $59.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for nuclear power reactor operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $129,580 |
| Illinois | $123,980 |
| Alabama | $119,000 |
| South Carolina | $118,620 |
| Nebraska | $108,650 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| Power Plant Operator | $104,440 | $50.21 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,810 | $47.03 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,470 | $48.79 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Machinist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make in Illinois?
The median salary for nuclear power reactor operators in Illinois is $123,980 a year, or $59.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear power reactor operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of nuclear power reactor operators in Illinois earn at least $133,950 a year. The top 25% earn $130,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear power reactor operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,760 a year, and a quarter of nuclear power reactor operators earn $119,100 or less.
How many nuclear power reactor operators work in Illinois?
About 410 nuclear power reactor operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.