The Nuclear Energy Institute compiles annual statistics on the US nuclear power industry providing the most comprehensive publicly available data on reactor operations, capacity factors, generation output, and workforce metrics. The 2025 data documents the continued reliability of the US nuclear fleet as a source of carbon-free baseload electricity.
The US operates 93 commercial nuclear reactors at 54 nuclear power plants across 28 states. These reactors collectively generate approximately 775 to 800 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, representing roughly 19 to 20 percent of total US electricity generation. Nuclear power accounts for approximately half of all carbon-free electricity produced in the United States, surpassing wind and solar in absolute terms on an annual generation basis.
US nuclear power plants typically achieve capacity factors above 90 percent, meaning they produce close to their maximum rated output for the vast majority of hours in a year. This reliability distinguishes nuclear from variable renewable sources like wind and solar, which generate electricity only when the resource is available. Baseload reliability is particularly valued as AI data centers and industrial loads seek guaranteed power supply.
The nuclear workforce totals approximately 100,000 jobs at nuclear plants, plus additional employment in the nuclear fuel supply chain and equipment manufacturing sector. High-skill technical roles in operations, maintenance, and engineering make nuclear employment among the highest-compensated in the energy sector on an hourly basis.
Source: Nuclear Energy Institute -- https://www.nei.org/resources/statistics