Nuclear Technicians
Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.
What it pays
Nuclear Technicians earn a median of $53.00/hr — about $110,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $35.17/hr; the top 10% earn $64.23/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Nuclear Technicians earn a median of $53.00/hr — about $110,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $35.17/hr; the top 10% earn $64.23/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0% of nuclear technicians are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
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Quick questions
- How much does a nuclear technician make?
- The median pay is $53.00 per hour — roughly $110,000 a year, with the real range running from about $35.17/hr (10th percentile) to $64.23/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a nuclear technician?
- The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
- What does a nuclear technician actually do all day?
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety. Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment. Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.