Nuclear Power Reactor Operator salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $112,860 a year ($54.26 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $84,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $122,890. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $118,620. The average (mean) salary is $115,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear power reactor operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,190 | $40.47 |
| 25th percentile | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Median | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| 75th percentile | $126,790 | $60.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,790 | $60.96 |
| Average (mean) | $115,510 | $55.54 |
Half of nuclear power reactor operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,405 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,702.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,340.77 |
| Weekly | $2,170.38 |
| Hourly | $54.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $112,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for nuclear power reactor operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $129,580 |
| Illinois | $123,980 |
| Alabama | $119,000 |
| South Carolina | $118,620 |
| Nebraska | $108,650 |
See Nuclear Power Reactor Operator pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $89,140 | $42.85 |
| Power Plant Operator | $132,030 | $63.48 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,070 | $26.96 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,330 | $21.31 |
| Baker | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Machinist | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,100 | $21.68 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear power reactor operator make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for nuclear power reactor operators in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $112,860 a year, or $54.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear power reactor operators make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of nuclear power reactor operators in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $126,790 a year. The top 25% earn $126,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear power reactor operators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,190 a year, and a quarter of nuclear power reactor operators earn $110,640 or less.