Operating plant radiation level measurements are important in optimizing the operation of nuclear plant systems and in confirming methods and assumptions used by shield designers and must be evaluated to aid in improving future plant designs. In addition, the anticipated long-term radiation fields to which reactor components are subjected are an important consideration in materials selection and/or placement. Radiation level measurements obtained from various pressurized water reactor plants show a wide range of measured dose rates, both in certain areas of the plant (e.g., containment operating deck) and near various components. In some cases, the differences can be explained based on variations in plant layout and shielding configuration, extent of fuel cladding failures, etc., but in many cases, the reported values lack sufficient detail and appropriate explanatory information to correctly interpret the data. The measurements that have been accumulated and correlated thus far are being used to confirm the assumptions and models currently being employed by the shield designers and have led to system and equipment design improvements.