Only 15 colleges in the country offer Nuclear Engineering Tech, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $120,399.
This page covers Nuclear Engineering Tech 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 Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Nuclear Engineering Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $120,399 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 15 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 261 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$101,386
Median Earnings · 4yr
$120,399
Colleges Offering
15
Graduates / Year
261
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,912
How Much Do Nuclear Engineering Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Nuclear Engineering Tech, a typical graduate earns $120,399, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $93,416 and $157,894, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$120,399
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$119,783
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Nuclear Engineering Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$93,41625th pct.
$120,399Median
$157,89475th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $120,399 against an estimated $35,648 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 3 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 261 students who complete Nuclear Engineering Tech programs each year, the majority (74%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
23%74%
Bachelor's74%
Associate's23%
Certificate3%
What Can You Do With a Nuclear Engineering Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Nuclear Engineering Tech graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Nuclear Technicians pay the most at $110,240/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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 Engineering Tech
Only 4 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Nuclear Engineering Tech. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.
Ranked by Nuclear Engineering Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Nuclear Engineering Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 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 Engineering Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Nuclear Engineering Tech shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $120,399 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $157,894, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Limited program availabilityOnly 15 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
How much do Nuclear Engineering Tech graduates earn?
$120,399 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $93,416 and $157,894, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Nuclear Engineering Tech degree?
$101,386 in the first year out. That grows to $120,399 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Nuclear Engineering Tech degree?
Nuclear Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $110,240 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 Engineering Tech program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Nuclear Engineering Tech bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Nuclear Engineering Tech?
15 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.
Is a Nuclear Engineering Tech degree worth it?
$120,399 median earnings four years out against $8,912 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Nuclear Engineering Tech and Engineering Tech?
Nuclear Engineering Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Nuclear Engineering Tech-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 Engineering Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Nuclear Engineering Tech 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 Engineering Tech 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.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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