Also called: University Reactor Operator, Senior Reactor Operator (Research Reactor)
Runs a small nuclear reactor on a college campus or national lab that makes medical isotopes and neutrons for research.
You start up the reactor from a control room the size of a classroom, pulling control rods out step by step while watching power climb. Students and scientists drop samples into it to make isotopes or study materials. At the end of the day you shut it down and log every number for the regulators.
Student operators earn hourly wages while in college.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Often a bachelor's in nuclear engineering or physics; many start as student operators. NRC operator license required.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Radiation Health Physics.
Growing about average. Small field; demand for isotopes and new reactors is rising.
Low risk for 10 years. Digital controls and AI help monitor the reactor, but the law requires licensed humans at the controls.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, Computer class.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.