Explore the rankings
Manufacturing & Production · Updated Aug 2026

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
60/100
High

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
51/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence84/100
Task coverage89%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.High
67
Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.High
69
Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.High
49
Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.High
51
Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.High
65
Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.High
68
Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.High
67
Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.High
66
Supervise technicians' work activities to ensure that equipment is operated in accordance with policies and procedures that protect workers from radiation and ensure environmental safety.High
65
Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.High
64
Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.High
76
Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.High
69
Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.High
36
Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.Medium
36
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.76
  2. Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.69
  3. Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.69
  4. Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.68
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.01
  2. Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.02
  3. Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.03
  4. Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.04
  5. Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

See all rankings →
Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency69
Physical dependency44
Adoption pressure65
Labour-market resilience59
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence84/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →