Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A nuclear power reactor operator earns a median of $122,890 a year ($59.08 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $121,380. About 5,150 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $122,890
- Gross pay
- $4,726.54
- Federal income tax
- −$701.06
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$293.05
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$68.53
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,663.90
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $122,890
- Federal
- $18,228
- FICA
- $9,401
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $95,261
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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BLS occupation: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 51-8011). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $59.08; the average is $58.36.
What is the salary range for a nuclear power reactor operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $98,640 and the top 10% earn over $149,310 a year.
How much is $122,890 after taxes?
About $95,261 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $86,480 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.