### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Nuclear Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			nuclear technicians imageNuclear technicians working for nuclear power plants use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactors.							
						Quick Facts:     Nuclear Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$101,740     per year
										$48.92     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    5,900Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -100What Nuclear Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research and nuclear energy production.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
In nuclear power plants, nuclear technicians typically work in offices and control rooms where they use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactors. Most nuclear technicians work full-time, variable schedules in the nuclear power industry. Their schedules may include working nights, holidays, and weekends. Nuclear technicians must take safety precautions to avoid exposure to radiation.
            
                                                How to Become a Nuclear Technician
                                                
                        
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Nuclear technicians also go through 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 show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 600 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different 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 
            

			Nuclear techniciansNuclear technicians use instruments, such as geiger counters, to monitor radiation levels.			
Nuclear technicians typically work in nuclear energy production or assist physicists, engineers, and other professionals in nuclear research. They operate special equipment used in these activities and monitor the levels of radiation that are produced.
Duties
Nuclear technicians typically do the following:
Monitor the performance of equipment used in nuclear experiments and power generation
Measure the levels and types of radiation produced by nuclear experiments, power generation, and other activities
Collect samples of air, water, and soil, and test for radioactive contamination
Instruct personnel on radiation safety procedures and warn them of hazardous conditions
Operate and maintain radiation monitoring equipmentJob duties and titles of nuclear technicians often depend on where they work and what purpose the facility serves. Most nuclear technicians work in nuclear power plants, where they ensure that reactors and other equipment are operated safely and efficiently. The following are types of nuclear technicians who work in the power generation industry:
***Operating technicians*** monitor the performance of systems in nuclear power plants. They measure levels of radiation and other contaminants in water systems. The levels they find could indicate a leak or could decrease the efficiency of the turbines in the power plants. They measure efficiency and ensure safety by making calculations based on factors such as temperature, pressure, and radiation intensity. Operating technicians must make adjustments and repairs to maintain or improve the performance of reactors and other equipment.
***Radiation protection technicians*** monitor levels of radiation contamination to protect personnel in nuclear power facilities and the surrounding environment. They use radiation detectors to measure levels in and around facilities, and they use dosimeters to measure the levels present in people and objects. Technicians map radiation levels throughout the plant and the surrounding environment and recommend radioactive decontamination plans and safety procedures for personnel. They also monitor worker activity from a control room and alert personnel who may be entering a dangerous area or working in an unsafe way.
Nuclear technicians also work in waste management and treatment facilities, where they monitor the disposal, recycling, and storage of nuclear waste. They perform duties similar to those of radiation protection technicians at nuclear power plants.
Some nuclear technicians work in laboratories. They help nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, and other scientists conduct research and develop new types of nuclear reactors, fuels, medicines, and other technologies. They use equipment such as radiation detectors, spectrometers (utilized to measure gamma ray and x-ray radiation), and particle accelerators to conduct experiments and gather data. They also may use remote-controlled equipment to manipulate radioactive materials or materials exposed to radiation.
 Work Environment
			Nuclear techniciansNuclear technicians may monitor radiation levels at nuclear power plants.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Nuclear technicians held about 5,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of nuclear technicians were as follows:
        Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
                61%Professional, scientific, and technical services
                20Manufacturing
                7Most nuclear technicians work in nuclear power plants, where they typically work in offices and control rooms. The technicians use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactors. Nuclear technicians also need to measure radiation levels onsite, requiring them to visit several areas in and around the plant throughout the workday. This task may sometimes require them to work outside, regardless of weather conditions. Working around nuclear reactors may involve exposure to high temperatures. Nuclear technicians who conduct scientific tests for scientists and engineers typically work 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, plastic suits, 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, plants stop operations for maintenance and upgrades. Workers may need to work overtime during these periods. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.
 How to Become a Nuclear Technician

			Nuclear techniciansMost employers prefer applicants who have at least an associate’s degree in nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology.			
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some may have gained equivalent experience from serving in the military. Nuclear technicians also go through extensive on-the-job training. For safety and security reasons, nuclear technicians usually must undergo a background check and receive some type of security clearance after they are hired.
Education
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree, or they may have equivalent experience from serving in the military—specifically, the U.S. Navy. Many community colleges and technical institutes offer associate’s degree 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.
Training
In nuclear power plants, nuclear technicians start out as trainees under the supervision of more experienced technicians. During their training, they are taught the proper ways to use operating and monitoring equipment. They are also taught safety procedures, regulations, and plant policies. Workers who do not have the appropriate associate’s degree or its equivalent usually have a substantial period of onsite technical training provided by their employer before they begin full duties and a normal training schedule.
Training varies with the technician’s previous experience and education. Most training programs last between 6 months and 2 years. Nuclear technicians go through additional training and education throughout their careers to keep up with advances in nuclear science and technology.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The Nuclear Energy Institute offers a certificate through its Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. The American Society for Nondestructive Testing offers Industrial Radiography and Radiation Safety Personnel certification. The National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists offers certification as a Registered Radiation Protection Technologist.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Nuclear technicians receive complex instructions from scientists and engineers that they must follow exactly. They have to ask questions to clarify anything they do not understand. Nuclear technicians must explain their work to scientists, engineers, and reactor operators. They must also instruct others on safety procedures and warn them of hazardous conditions. Many of the daily procedures and work processes must be thoroughly documented because of the risky nature of the work.
***Computer skills.*** Nuclear technicians must use computers for plant operations and for normal office work, such as documenting their activities.
***Critical-thinking skills.*** Nuclear technicians must carefully evaluate all available information before deciding on a course of action. For example, radiation protection technicians must evaluate data from radiation detectors to determine if areas are safe and must develop decontamination plans if they are not safe.
***Math skills.*** Nuclear technicians use scientific and mathematical formulas to analyze experimental and production data, such as reaction rates and radiation exposures.
***Mechanical skills.*** Nuclear technicians need to have strong mechanical aptitude. Nuclear power facilities are complex, and workers need to understand how the facilities work in order to make adjustments and repairs to equipment and to maintain a safe working environment. Employers hiring nuclear technicians in nuclear power plants often conduct mechanical aptitude tests as part of the hiring process.
***Monitoring skills.*** Nuclear technicians must assess data from sensors, gauges, and other instruments to make sure that equipment and experiments are functioning properly and that radiation levels are controlled.
Advancement
With additional training and experience, technicians may become nuclear power reactor operators at nuclear power plants. Technicians can become nuclear engineers by earning a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering. Nuclear physicists need a Ph.D. in physics. For more information, see the profiles on power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers; nuclear engineers; and physicists and astronomers.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Nuclear TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Nuclear technicians$101,740  Life, physical, and social science technicians$53,700  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
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:	
        Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
                $107,710Professional, scientific, and technical services
                91,740Manufacturing
                78,380Most 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, plants stop operations for maintenance and upgrades. Workers may need to work overtime during these periods. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Nuclear TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Life, physical, and social science technicians4%  Total, all occupations3%  Nuclear technicians-1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of nuclear technicians is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 600 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Traditionally, utilities that own or build nuclear power plants have employed the greatest number of nuclear technicians. However, both the increasing viability of renewable energy and limited construction of new nuclear power plants put economic pressure on traditional nuclear power generation and reduce demand for these technicians. Even with this pressure, there will still be a need for some technicians to help maintain and upgrade existing nuclear power plants.
			

                        Employment projections data for     nuclear technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Nuclear technicians**
			19-4051
			5,900
			5,800
			-1
			-100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **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 OES 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.com. 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.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of nuclear technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Chemical Technicians**
            Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials.
            Associate's degree
            $56,750**Hazardous Materials Removal Workers**
            Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive waste.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,280**Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices.
            Associate's degree
            $64,020**Nuclear Engineers**
            Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
            Bachelor's degree
            $125,460**Nuclear Medicine Technologists**
            Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging or treatment.
            Associate's degree
            $92,500**Physicists and Astronomers**
            Physicists and astronomers study the interactions of matter and energy.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $149,530**Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers**
            Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $100,890**Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians**
            Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures.
            See How to Become One
            $77,580
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about nuclear technicians, visit
Center for Energy Workforce Development
Get Into Energy
Nuclear Energy Institute
For information about certification, visit
American Society for Nondestructive Testing
National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Nuclear Monitoring TechniciansNuclear Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nuclear Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/nuclear-technicians.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH