How the national numbers differ
1Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers has the edge on annual openings
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers is at 2,700 annual openings, compared with 400 annual openings for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators.
Typical preparation differs.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators: High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators has the edge on median pay
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators is at $122,890, compared with $96,710 for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers has the edge on projected growth
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers is at -1.9% projected growth, compared with -5.9% projected growth for Nuclear Power Reactor Operators.
39/ 100Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
vs
53/ 100Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators vs Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
| Dimension | Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $122,890 | $96,710 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 89.8 percentile | 80.3 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | -5.9% | -1.9% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 400 | 2,700 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 5,200 | 32,900 |
|---|
| How you qualify | High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing | High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 3 | Job Zone 2 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
