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

Nuclear Engineers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			nuclear engineers imageNuclear engineers direct maintenance activities at operational nuclear power plants to ensure that they meet safety standards.							
						Quick Facts:     Nuclear Engineers2023     Median Pay
            						$125,460     per year
										$60.32     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    13,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    100What Nuclear Engineers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Nuclear engineers typically work in office settings, but it may vary by employer. Most nuclear engineers work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Nuclear Engineer
                                                
                        
Nuclear engineers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. They typically do not need a license to enter the occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for nuclear engineers was $125,460 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of nuclear engineers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 800 openings for nuclear engineers 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 engineers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear engineers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about nuclear engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Nuclear Engineers Do 
            

			Nuclear engineersNuclear engineers monitor nuclear facility operations.			
Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Some of these engineers research new reactor designs. Others may specialize in the development of safety regulations related to the handling of nuclear materials or operation of nuclear power.
Duties
Nuclear engineers typically do the following:
Design or develop nuclear equipment —such as reactor cores, nuclear batteries, and radiation shielding—and its associated instruments
Test whether methods of managing nuclear material or reclaiming nuclear fuel are acceptable
Write instructions to be used in operating nuclear plants or other nuclear equipment or in managing nuclear materials
Monitor nuclear facility design, construction, and operation practices to ensure compliance with state and federal regulationsNuclear engineers may work in the following areas:
***Defense.*** Nuclear engineers in the military work on nuclear propulsion systems for naval vessels. They may help design or evaluate these systems to ensure compliance with safety standards and system specifications. They also work aboard nuclear-powered vessels to monitor and maintain the nuclear systems. In addition, they may review and evaluate technical information related to nuclear weapons, such as readiness and safe storage.
***Medical.*** Nuclear engineers provide dose and shielding calculations for medical isotope production. They design and conduct irradiation experiments and then analyze and document the results of these experiments.
***Research and regulation.*** Nuclear engineers research new uses and management of nuclear power or material. They examine nuclear accidents and analyze the data to aid in designing preventive measures. Some test whether methods of using and managing nuclear material or reclaiming nuclear fuel are acceptable. They may assist in drafting new regulations and standards based on research and experiments.
***Space exploration.*** Nuclear engineers design nuclear batteries used in spacecraft, satellites, and space rovers. They also may design radiation shielding for spacecraft and calculate and analyze radiation in space.
***Utility power generation.*** Nuclear engineers who work for utilities help design and operate nuclear power plants. They also may direct maintenance activities to ensure that these plants meet safety standards.
 Work Environment
			Nuclear engineersNuclear engineers typically work in office settings, often at a computer.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Nuclear engineers held about 13,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of nuclear engineers were as follows:
        Nuclear electric power generation
                28%Federal government, excluding postal service
                20Scientific research and development services
                16Engineering services
                7Manufacturing
                5Nuclear engineers typically work in office settings. However, where their office is located varies with the industry in which they work. For example, those employed in power generation and supply work in power plants. Those working for the federal government may be in the military or employed by a regulatory agency or a national laboratory. Others may work for professional, scientific, and technical services, which include consulting firms.
Nuclear engineers work with others, including mechanical engineers and electrical engineers, to incorporate other systems into their own designs.
Work Schedules
Most nuclear engineers work full time. Their schedules vary with the industries in which they work.
 How to Become a Nuclear Engineer

			Nuclear engineersNuclear engineers need a working knowledge of programming languages and computer systems.			
Nuclear engineers typically need at least bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field of engineering.
Education
High school students interested in studying nuclear engineering should take classes in mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; and science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
Entry-level nuclear engineering jobs commonly require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technologies, or a physical science field. Some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master’s degree or Ph.D.
Bachelor’s degree engineering programs often consist of classroom, laboratory, and field studies. Courses include calculus, physics, and nuclear design. Colleges and universities may offer internship or cooperative-education programs with businesses, allowing students to gain work experience while completing their education.
Some colleges and universities offer 5-year programs that lead to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Programs in nuclear engineering are accredited by ABET.
Training
At a nuclear power plant, new employees usually must complete onsite training in topics such as safety procedures, practices, and regulations. Length of training varies, depending on the employer and the power plant. In addition, nuclear engineers must undergo training every year to stay current on applicable laws, regulations, and safety procedures.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level nuclear engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.
State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam.
Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.
Nuclear engineers may be licensed as a Senior Reactor Operator, a credential granted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Contact the NRC for more information.
Other Experience
Some nuclear engineers get their training in the military. Experience in a related military occupation may be beneficial for transferring to a civilian position.
Advancement
Nuclear engineers may advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some become engineering managers or move into sales work. For more information, see the profiles on architectural and engineering managers and sales engineers.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Nuclear engineers must evaluate technical information for safe use of nuclear energy and materials.
***Communication skills.*** Nuclear engineers collaborate with other engineers and technicians. They must be able to convey information clearly, both in writing and in person.
***Computer skills.*** Nuclear engineers need a working knowledge of programming languages and computer systems.
***Detail oriented.*** Nuclear engineers supervise nuclear facilities and must pay attention to ensure that they operate safely.
***Logical-thinking skills.*** In designing complex systems, nuclear engineers must order information clearly and sequentially.
***Math skills.*** Nuclear engineers use calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced math in their work.
***Problem-solving skills*.** Nuclear engineers must be able to identify and fix problems that arise in designing and maintaining facilities.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Nuclear EngineersMedian annual wages, May 2023Nuclear engineers$125,460  Engineers$102,660  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 engineers was $125,460 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 $82,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $174,020.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for nuclear engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Scientific research and development services
                $131,060Engineering services
                129,080Manufacturing
                127,410Nuclear electric power generation
                125,610Federal government, excluding postal service
                110,530Most nuclear engineers work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Nuclear EngineersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Engineers7%  Total, all occupations3%  Nuclear engineers1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of nuclear engineers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 800 openings for nuclear engineers 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 engineers. However, the increasing viability of renewable energy and limited construction of new nuclear power plants puts economic pressure on traditional nuclear power generation and reduces demand for these engineers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     nuclear engineers, 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 engineers**
			17-2161
			13,800
			13,900
			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 engineers **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 engineers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians help engineers design and develop equipment that is powered by electricity or electric current.
            Associate's degree
            $72,800**Electrical and Electronics Engineers**
            Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
            Bachelor's degree
            $109,010**Health and Safety Engineers**
            Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,690**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510**Physicists and Astronomers**
            Physicists and astronomers study the interactions of matter and energy.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $149,530
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Nuclear Society
American Society for Engineering Education
Health Physics Society
Nuclear Energy Institute
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Technology Student Association
For more information about licensure as a nuclear engineer, visit
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
National Society of Professional Engineers
For more information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET
For information about engineering summer camps, visit
Engineering For Kids
To see vacancies for nuclear engineer positions in the federal government, visit
USAJOBS

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Nuclear Engineers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nuclear Engineers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/nuclear-engineers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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