Nuclear Power Reactor Operators Salary
In New York, nuclear power reactor operators earn $129,580 at the median, or about $62.3 an hour. The range runs from $102K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $131,942 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,917/month, or 25.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New York. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $130K get you in New York?
About nuclear power reactor operators
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What this looks like in New York
Nuclear power reactor operators pay in New York tracks closely to the national median, $130K locally vs. $123K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,917/month, 24.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level nuclear power reactor operators (10th percentile) start around $102K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track nuclear power reactor operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a nuclear power reactor operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
Yes — at the median salary of $130K, rent takes 24.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for nuclear power reactor operators in New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new nuclear power reactor operators typically earn — is $102K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,124/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 31% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is nuclear power reactor operator a high-paying job in New York?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $130K locally vs. $123K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does New York compare to the national average for nuclear power reactor operators?
New York pays $130K median vs. the U.S. average of $123K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $132K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do nuclear power reactor operators make in New York?
The median is $129,580 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $102,070, and experienced nuclear power reactor operators can clear $158,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,716/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 24.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a nuclear power reactor operators salary go in New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nuclear power reactor operators salary is worth about $131,942 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nuclear power reactor operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.