Nuclear Technicians
SOC code 19-4051 · O*NET-SOC 19-4051.00 · Medium preparation needed · Science and engineering
Nuclear Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$110,240
a year
Hourly
$53.00
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$108,940
$52.37 per hour
Middle 50%
$99,110 – $123,990
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$73,150 – $133,600
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
6,470
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $73,150
- $35.17/hr
- 25th percentile
- $99,110
- $47.65/hr
- Median percentile
- $110,240
- $53.00/hr
- 75th percentile
- $123,990
- $59.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $133,600
- $64.23/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-8%
Declining
6,000
jobs in 2024
5,500
projected for 2034
About 500 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a nuclear technician do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- 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.
- Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
- Modify, devise, or maintain nuclear equipment used in operations.
How to become a nuclear technician
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a nuclear technician earn?
The national median is $110,240 a year. The full range runs from $73,150 at the 10th percentile to $133,600 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a nuclear technician without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is nuclear technician in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 8% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Speaking3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Chemistry3.5/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving.