Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in New York
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in New York earn a median of $129,580 a year ($62.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,080 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $122,890. New York ranks 1st of 5 states for nuclear power reactor operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 nuclear power reactor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $128,370, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear power reactor operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| 25th percentile | $121,310 | $58.32 |
| Median | $129,580 | $62.30 |
| 75th percentile | $142,560 | $68.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,080 | $76.00 |
| Average (mean) | $128,370 | $61.72 |
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 | $10,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,399.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,983.85 |
| Weekly | $2,491.92 |
| Hourly | $62.30 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Power Plant Operator | $106,990 | $51.44 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,390 | $47.31 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $139,390 | $67.02 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Baker | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
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 New York?
The median salary for nuclear power reactor operators in New York is $129,580 a year, or $62.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear power reactor operators make in New York?
The top 10% of nuclear power reactor operators in New York earn at least $158,080 a year. The top 25% earn $142,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear power reactor operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,070 a year, and a quarter of nuclear power reactor operators earn $121,310 or less.
How many nuclear power reactor operators work in New York?
About 230 nuclear power reactor operators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.