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Salary comparison

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $78K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss land at $122,890 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: nuclear power reactor operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss is New York ($129,580); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$122,890
$44,650
Hourly rate
$59.08/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$98,640
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$149,310
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
5,150
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
New York
$129,580
$44,580
Illinois
$123,980
$44,140
Alabama
$119,000
$42,700
South Carolina
$118,620
$45,500
Nebraska
$108,650
$45,470

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $122,890 for Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $78K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss 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. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss earn $129,580 vs. $44,580 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nuclear Power Reactor Operators salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nuclear Power Reactor Operatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a nuclear power reactor operatorsGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →