Government
Data updated April 3, 2025

What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent executive branch responsible for regulating the use of radioactive materials for civilian purposes and ensuring public and environmental health and safety. It oversees the operation and waste management of nuclear power plants and other nuclear material uses (including medical and academic). It was established in 1974.

In FY 2024,

$160M

was spent by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

How much does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission spend?

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission spent $160.3 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.0024% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 56th among federal agencies in total spending.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of NRC net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s federal spending has decreased from $1.47 billion in 1980 to $160.3 million in 2024.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by NRC, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's spending has decreased 89.1%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In 2024, NRC accounted for 0.0024% of all federal spending. That’s 0.0012 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.061 percentage points lower than in 1980.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to NRC, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all NRC spending.

How did the Nuclear Regulatory Commission spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to NRC, FY 2024

How many people work for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?

Some 3,000 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as of September 2024. This is 30% fewer people than the department staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has decreased 30% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for NRC, September 2010–2024

NRC accounts for 0.1% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. NRC constituted a smaller share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.2%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's share of the workforce (0.1%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.0024%).

Who leads the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?

The NRC is led by a Chairman, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. This position is part of a five-member commission, with each member serving staggered five-year terms.

Keep exploring

Enter some text...
Enter some text...

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

    FedScope

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo