Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates pursue 2 occupations, with top roles paying $122,890/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
About Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
This page covers Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Science Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Science Tech. You will not have trouble finding it: 24 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 319 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Colleges Offering
24
Graduates / Year
319
Avg Net Price / yr
$11,203
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 319 students who complete Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (53%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
44%53%
Associate's53%
Certificate44%
Bachelor's3%
What Can You Do With a Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Nuclear Power Reactor Operators pay the most at $122,890/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
High school diploma or equivalent400 openings/yr5K employed nationally
Reading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlActive ListeningCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
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.
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.
Top Colleges for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians? These 14 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Science Tech Programs
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians is not the only path through Science Tech: 4 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
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Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians shows 0 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Limited program availabilityOnly 24 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians degree?
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators are one path, and it pays a median of $122,890 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians?
24 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians and Science Tech?
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Science Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -2.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Nuclear Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +1.1%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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