Reactor operator

A reactor operator (or nuclear reactor operator) is an individual at a nuclear power plant or other nuclear reactor who is responsible for directly controlling the reactor core. This is typically done using control rods, aided by information from other instruments, such as neutron detectors, thermometers, and radiation detectors.

In addition to controlling the reactor core, the responsibilities of reactor operators may include control of other important reactor equipment, logging and recording of reactor activities, monitoring of reactor parameters, response to adverse or unexpected reactor conditions, maintenance and care of equipment, and emergency preparedness and response. As they are responsible for manipulation of the control rods, reactor operators are the only individuals at a reactor who can significantly alter amounts of core reactivity.

All reactor operators are required to be licensed or qualified by their respective governing body (for example, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for U.S. civilian nuclear reactors and Naval Reactors for U.S. naval reactors). Because of the risk of catastrophic consequences from incidents in reactor cores, reactor operators are often subject to stringent mental and physical health requirements.

In the United States, the 2024 median annual salary for a licensed reactor operator was $122,610.^[1]The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% decline in reactor operator jobs from 2024 to 2034.^[2]

There are two types of civilian reactor operators licensed by the NRC: reactor operators (RO) and senior reactor operators (SRO).^[3][4] A reactor operator is licensed to manipulate the controls of a reactor (which may alter reactivity and therefore change the power level) while a senior reactor operator may both manipulate controls and direct the activities of reactor operators.^[3] Typically, this means that an RO or SRO is qualified to remotely operate control rods and other remote actions required to control the reactor as desired.

In addition, a senior reactor operator is the senior watch stander in a control room and is responsible for directing the operation of the nuclear reactor as desired.^[5] They also may be authorized to direct fuel movement/core alterations within the reactor vessel.^[6]

A senior reactor operator (like pilots in command^[7] and masters of ships at sea^[8]) is authorized by law to depart from regulations during emergencies. 10CFR50.54 (x) and (y) state that reactors may violate the conditions of their license or technical specifications in an emergency when no other option is apparent to protect public health & safety. However, they also require that such actions be approved by a senior reactor operator.^[5]

A reactor operator is an individual who has met the licensing requirements of 10CFR55 and NUREG-1021 for being a reactor operator. For reactor operators at power reactors, these requirements include:

• 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
• at least 3 months of experience as a control room operator at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed
• completion of the nuclear power plant's reactor operator training program
• supervised manipulation of the controls of the nuclear reactor for certain operations affecting reactor power level
• a successful medical examination meeting NRC requirements
• passing the NRC Generic Fundamentals Examination
• passing the nuclear power plant's reactor operator test
• passing the nuclear power plant's Operating Test (approved by the NRC) which covers knowledge of the nuclear power plant components, knowledge of casualty response, and responses to simulated casualties and plant evolutions in an approved simulator. ^[4]

A senior reactor operator is an individual who has met the licensing requirements of 10CFR55 and NUREG-1021 for being a senior reactor operator. These requirements are similar to the requirements for a reactor operator, except:

• 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 senior watch stations in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (including that of a naval reactor operator)
• fulfilling certain supervisory functions as a trainee
• completion of the nuclear power plant's senior reactor operator training program
• passing the nuclear power plant's senior reactor operator test which includes an administrative section in addition to the reactor operator test
• passing a more extensive plant Operating Test which also includes supervisory and administrative actions.^[4]

Again, these requirements apply only to staff at power reactors.

The only other person who may manipulate the controls of a US civilian nuclear reactor is an individual who:

• Is under the direction and in the presence of a licensed operator or senior operator and
• Manipulates the controls of a facility as a part of the individual's training for an operator license (or, at research and test reactors, a student doing so as part of their studies)
• Is enrolled in the facility licensee's training program as approved by the Commission to qualify for an operator license under 10CFR55. ^[6]