Nuclear Technicians

Summary

Nuclear technicians working for nuclear power plants use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactors.

Quick Facts: Nuclear Technicians
2023 Median Pay	$101,740 per year $48.92 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education	Associate's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2023	5,400
Job Outlook, 2023-33	-6% (Decline)
Employment Change, 2023-33	-300

What Nuclear Technicians Do

Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities, such as operating or maintaining nuclear testing equipment.

Work Environment

Nuclear technicians typically work in nuclear power plants or in laboratories. Most work full-time. In power plants, their work schedules may vary to include nights, holidays, and weekends. Nuclear technicians must take precautions to avoid exposure to radiation.

How to Become a Nuclear Technician

Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in either nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award plus experience, such as from the military or an apprenticeship. Once hired, nuclear technicians typically receive extensive on-the-job training.

Pay

The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $101,740 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to decline 6 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Despite declining employment, about 500 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nuclear technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Nuclear Technicians Do About this section

Nuclear technicians use instruments, such as geiger counters, to monitor radiation levels.

Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities. They may operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment and monitor radiation levels.

Duties

Nuclear technicians typically do the following:

• Monitor, test, and maintain equipment and systems used in nuclear power generation or laboratories
• Operate and maintain radiation monitoring equipment
• Measure the levels and types of radiation produced by nuclear systems
• Collect samples of air, water, and soil and test for radioactive contamination
• Respond to incidents of radiological contamination and issue corrective action
• Instruct personnel on radiation safety procedures and warn them of hazardous conditions

Nuclear technicians monitor the performance of systems and the levels of radiation in nuclear power plants, water systems, and the surrounding environment. They make calculations to measure levels of radiation and radioactive contamination. They monitor efficiency and ensure safety by setting up, calibrating, maintaining, and operating radiation detection instruments. They also may recommend radioactive decontamination plans and safety procedures for facility personnel.

Nuclear technicians’ duties may vary, depending on where they work. For example, technicians who work in nuclear power plants ensure that reactors and other equipment operate safely and efficiently. Technicians who work in laboratories help nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, and other scientists conduct research to develop new technologies.

Those who work in waste management and treatment facilities monitor the disposal, recycling, and storage of nuclear waste.

Work Environment About this section

Nuclear technicians may monitor radiation levels at nuclear power plants.

Nuclear technicians held about 5,400 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of nuclear technicians were as follows:

Most nuclear technicians work in nuclear power plants, where they typically work in offices and control rooms. Nuclear technicians may need to measure radiation levels onsite, requiring them to visit plants and the areas around them, in all types of weather. Working around nuclear reactors may involve exposure to high temperatures. Some nuclear technicians work under the direction of scientists and engineers in laboratories.

Nuclear technicians must take precautions when working with or around nuclear materials. They often have to wear protective gear and special badges that indicate whether they have been exposed to radiation. Protective gear may include hardhats, hearing and eye protection, and respirators.

Work Schedules

Most nuclear technicians work full time. In power plants, which operate 24 hours a day, technicians may work variable schedules that include nights, holidays, and weekends. Occasionally, they also may need to work overtime. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.

How to Become a Nuclear Technician About this section

Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology.

Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in either nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award plus experience, such as from the military or an apprenticeship. Once hired, nuclear technicians typically receive extensive on-the-job training.

Education

Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree to enter the occupation. Some community colleges and technical institutes offer programs in nuclear science, nuclear technology, or related fields. Students study nuclear energy, radiation, and the equipment and components used in nuclear power plants and laboratories. Other coursework includes mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Nuclear technicians sometimes enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award coupled with experience, such as from the military or from an apprenticeship.

Training

Nuclear technicians usually begin as trainees who are supervised by experienced technicians. During training, technicians learn how to use operating and monitoring equipment. They also learn safety procedures, regulations, and plant policies. Technicians who do not have a relevant associate’s degree or its equivalent typically receive extensive training onsite.

The length of training varies with the technician’s experience and education. Most training programs last between 6 months and 2 years. Nuclear technicians train throughout their careers to keep up with advances in nuclear science and technology.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may prefer or require certification for nuclear technicians. In addition, nuclear technicians usually must undergo a background check and receive some type of security clearance after they are hired.

Advancement

With additional training and experience, technicians may become nuclear power reactor operators at nuclear power plants.

Important Qualities

Attention to detail. Nuclear technicians must observe data from equipment sensors and gauges to ensure that systems are functioning properly and that radiation levels are controlled.

Communication skills. Nuclear technicians must follow directions and clarify anything they do not understand.

Critical-thinking skills. Nuclear technicians must evaluate information and decide on a course of action. For example, they may need to analyze data from radiation detectors and develop decontamination plans if areas are not safe.

Math skills. Nuclear technicians use mathematics to analyze experimental and production data, such as reaction rates and radiation exposures.

Mechanical skills. Nuclear technicians need mechanical aptitude to monitor and maintain complex equipment.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $101,740 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $62,700, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,700.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for nuclear technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most nuclear technicians work full time. In power plants, which operate 24 hours a day, technicians may work variable schedules that include nights, holidays, and weekends. Occasionally, they also may need to work overtime. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to decline 6 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Despite declining employment, about 500 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for nuclear technicians is expected to decline as fewer nuclear power plants are constructed and as the production of renewable energy increases. However, there will still be a need for some technicians to help maintain existing nuclear power plants.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Nuclear technicians

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about nuclear technicians, visit

Get Into Energy

Nuclear Energy Institute

O*NET

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Nuclear Technicians