truest.me
Explore CareersSponsor Someone 🎁Log InSign Up
truest.me
AboutCareer Growth ToolsWays to access truestPricingSponsor people/teamsWho is truest for
Terms of useContactPrivacy policytruest is a public benefit company
Copyright Β© 2026, Truest.me. All rights reserved.
Browse Careers
Career Explorer β†’
Tracks
See all β†’
Admin & OfficeAgricultureArts & MediaBusiness OperationsConstructionEducationEngineeringExecutive LeadershipFacilitiesFinanceFood ServiceHealthcareHuman ResourcesLegalMaintenance & RepairMarketingOperationsPersonal CareProductionProtective ServicesReal EstateSalesScienceSocial ServicesTechnologyTransportation
Top industries
See all β†’
HealthcareAdministrative ServicesK-12 SchoolsHospitality & Food ServiceHospital SystemsRetailWholesale & DistributionCatering & Mobile Food ServicesProfessional ServicesHospitals & Medical CentersEducationRestaurants & DiningGovernmentManufacturingAmbulatory Healthcare ServicesAdministrative Support ServicesConstructionFinancial ServicesGeneral Merchandise StoresColleges & UniversitiesConsumer ServicesLocal Government ServicesFull-Service RestaurantsSpecialty Trade ContractorsTransportation & LogisticsReal Estate Services
Top metros
See all β†’
New York-NewarkLos Angeles-Long BeachChicago-NapervilleDallas-Fort WorthHouston-PasadenaWashington-ArlingtonAtlanta-Sandy SpringsPhiladelphia-CamdenMiami-Fort LauderdaleBoston-CambridgeSan Francisco-OaklandPhoenix-MesaSeattle-TacomaMinneapolis-St. PaulDetroit-WarrenRiverside-San BernardinoDenver-AuroraSan Diego-Chula VistaTampa-St. PetersburgOrlando-KissimmeeCharlotte-ConcordBaltimore-ColumbiaSt. LouisAustin-Round RockPortland-VancouverSan Jose-Sunnyvale
Careersβ€ΊRolesβ€ΊNon-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)
Mid-Level

Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)

Out in a nuclear plant, away from the control room, a non-licensed operator runs the pumps, valves, and equipment that keep it operating safely β€” the hands-on backbone of plant operations. Where the plant runs on disciplined routine.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
R
C
I
E
S
A
Realistichands-on, practical
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)s
Energy & Utilities Β· 63%Professional Services Β· 17%Administrative Services Β· 9%Manufacturing Β· 6%Healthcare Β· 2%Government Β· 2%
Job markets for Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)s
Employment concentration Β· ~5 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Science
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)

Shifts tend to mean walking the plant, operating equipment, and monitoring systems under licensed operators' direction. The environment is highly regulated, and procedures are followed to the letter β€” the stakes are enormous. Rotating shifts and constant vigilance are part of the deal.

It's a disciplined, safety-first world, and the work is steady but demanding. For many, the hard part can be rotating shifts, strict protocol, and vigilance. The pay tends to be strong, training is rigorous and ongoing, and it's often a path toward a license.

Folks who do well here tend to be disciplined, dependable, and exacting about safety. Trade-offs can include shift work, strict procedure, and high-stakes routine. For someone who likes hands-on plant work with strong pay and a clear path up β€” and respects the stakes β€” the role can be a durable, well-paid fit.

What people in this role value
SupportHigh
Working ConditionsLower
RelationshipsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
IndependenceLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial β€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape β€” and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$92K+15%
Technology & Information$91K+13%
Energy & Utilities$82K+2%
Financial Services$81K+2%
Wholesale & Distribution$79K-1%
Compared to Science average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)s (SOC 19-4051.00), not just this title Β· BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Science β†’
Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO)Nuclear EngineerNuclear MechanicNuclear Design EngineerNuclear Safety EngineerNuclear Process EngineerNuclear Reactor EngineerNuclear Licensing EngineerNuclear Radiation EngineerNuclear Power Plant EngineerNuclear Equipment Test EngineerNuclear Fuels Research EngineerNuclear Waste Management EngineerNuclear Fuels Reclamation EngineerNuclear Criticality Safety EngineerNuclear Test Reactor Program CoordinatorOperations TechnicianSystems OperatorNuclear TechnicianRadiochemical TechnicianGamma OperatorHot-Cell TechnicianAccelerator OperatorAccelerator TechnicianElectric Systems Operator+1 more
Exploring the Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit β€” and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
✦ Editorial β€” career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape β€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$64K–$127K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
6K
U.S. Employment
-7.7%
10yr Growth
700
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 Β· BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Operations MonitoringMonitoringActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingWritingJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine Β· Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-4051.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midNuclear Engineer$128KmidNuclear Mechanic$128KmidNuclear Design Engineer$128KmidNuclear Safety Engineer$128KmidNuclear Process Engineer$128KmidNuclear Reactor Engineer$128K
View all Science roles β†’

Navigate your career with clarity

Truest gives you tools to understand your strengths, explore roles that fit, and plan your next move.

Explore Truest career tools
Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) Β· BLS Employment Projections Β· O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.