Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in South Carolina
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $118,620 a year ($57.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $122,890. South Carolina ranks 4th of 5 states for nuclear power reactor operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.14 nuclear power reactor operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,610, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear power reactor operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,820 | $41.26 |
| 25th percentile | $107,190 | $51.53 |
| Median | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| 75th percentile | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,790 | $60.96 |
| Average (mean) | $114,610 | $55.10 |
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 | $9,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,942.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,562.31 |
| Weekly | $2,281.15 |
| Hourly | $57.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $112,860 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for nuclear power reactor operators
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,090 | $25.05 |
| Power Plant Operator | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $91,570 | $44.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for nuclear power reactor operators in South Carolina is $118,620 a year, or $57.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear power reactor operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of nuclear power reactor operators in South Carolina earn at least $126,790 a year. The top 25% earn $119,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear power reactor operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,820 a year, and a quarter of nuclear power reactor operators earn $107,190 or less.
How many nuclear power reactor operators work in South Carolina?
About 320 nuclear power reactor operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.