Athletic Trainers
Median wage · national
$62,520
Range: $55K – $75K
Employed
31K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: master's degree
STEM
Nuclear Technicians
Nuclear Technicians earn $110,240 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $99,110 and $123,990. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About 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.
- Median Wage
- $110,240
- Employed Nationally
- 6K
- Openings / Year
- 700
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Accelerator Operator
Accelerator Technician
Auxiliary Operator
Cell Support Operator
Electric Systems Operator
How Much Do Nuclear Technicians Make?
Nuclear Technicians earn $110,240 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,110 and $123,990. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$110,240
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$99K–$124K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$99,110
Entry-level
$110,240
Median
$123,990
Experienced
What Do Nuclear Technicians Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Nuclear Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Monitoring
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Nuclear Technicians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Nuclear Technicians?
The BLS projects -7.7% employment change for Nuclear Technicians through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -7.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
6K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Nuclear Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $110,240 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | 870 | $102,810 | -6.7% |
| 2 | South Carolina | 760 | $105,300 | -4.5% |
| 3 | North Carolina | 430 | $104,240 | -5.4% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 330 | $104,650 | -5.1% |
| 5 | Virginia | 320 | $106,270 | -3.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Nuclear Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
| 2 | Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians | 319 | — | 24 |
| 3 | Nuclear Engineering Tech | 261 | $120,399 | 15 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Nuclear Technicians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 4 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 5 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Nuclear Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Nuclear Technicians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Nuclear Technicians Pros & Cons
Nuclear Technicians has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 3 upsides and 1 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $110,240 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $123,990 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -7.7% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
Nuclear Technicians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Nuclear Technicians professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Nuclear Technicians is $110,240, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,110 and $123,990. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Nuclear Technicians a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -7.7% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $110,240 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Nuclear Technicians?
Most Nuclear Technicians positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
Why are Nuclear Technicians jobs declining?
The BLS projects -7.7% employment change for Nuclear Technicians through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 700 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 6K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
Why do Nuclear Technicians professionals earn so much?
At $110,240 median with a Zone 3 preparation level, Nuclear Technicians compensates well because specialized expertise creates high economic value per hour, and the role typically carries meaningful liability, decision-making responsibility, or direct revenue impact. Industries that depend on this skill set pay competitively to attract and retain people who are genuinely good at it.
What skills do Nuclear Technicians professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Nuclear Technicians roles: Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.