SOC 51-8011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators — Illinois
Illinois
At $123,980, median pay for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois tracks the national median of $122,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $123,980, median pay for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois tracks the national median of $122,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $104,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $133,950 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $119,100 to $130,500.
Employment stands at 410, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Illinois ranks number 2nd out of 5 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 66th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,760 | −14.8% |
| 25th | $119,100 | −3.1% |
| Median (50th) | $123,980 | +0.9% |
| 75th | $130,500 | +6.2% |
| 90th | $133,950 | +9.0% |
| Mean | $124,850 | +1.6% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $123,980 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$123,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$123,980US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $123,980 a year, 0.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $104,760 to $133,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 5 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $123,980, or $59.60 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $122,890, so pay in Illinois is 0.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $133,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $104,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in Illinois. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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