Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in either nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award plus experience, such as from the military or an apprenticeship. Once hired, nuclear technicians typically receive extensive on-the-job training. PayThe median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 900 openings for nuclear technicians 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 technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 900 openings for nuclear technicians 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 technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 900 openings for nuclear technicians 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 technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities, such as operating or maintaining nuclear testing equipment.
Work Environment
Nuclear technicians typically work in nuclear power plants or in laboratories. Most work full-time. In power plants, their work schedules may vary to include nights, holidays, and weekends. Nuclear technicians must take precautions to avoid exposure to radiation.
How to Become a Nuclear Technician
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in either nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award plus experience, such as from the military or an apprenticeship. Once hired, nuclear technicians typically receive extensive on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 900 openings for nuclear technicians 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 technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Nuclear technicians typically work in nuclear power plants or in laboratories. Most work full-time. In power plants, their work schedules may vary to include nights, holidays, and weekends. Nuclear technicians must take precautions to avoid exposure to radiation.
How to Become a Nuclear Technician
Nuclear technicians typically need an associate’s degree in either nuclear science or a nuclear-related technology. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award plus experience, such as from the military or an apprenticeship. Once hired, nuclear technicians typically receive extensive on-the-job training.
Pay
The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 900 openings for nuclear technicians 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 technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nuclear technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear technicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about nuclear technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.