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Salary comparison

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $48K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators land at $122,890 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: nuclear power reactor operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is New York ($129,580); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$122,890
$74,450
Hourly rate
$59.08/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$98,640
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$149,310
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
5,150
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-15.3%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Nuclear Power Reactor Operators median pay.

State
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
New York
$129,580
$78,580
Illinois
$123,980
$75,200
Alabama
$119,000
$73,060
South Carolina
$118,620
$77,500
Nebraska
$108,650
$72,200

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn more nationally. The median is $122,890 for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $48K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -15.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Nuclear Power Reactor Operators get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators at $129,580/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Nuclear Power Reactor Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators earn $129,580 vs. $78,580 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nuclear Power Reactor Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a nuclear power reactor operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →