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.
Also called: Auxiliary Operator · Equipment Operator · Licensed Nuclear Operator · Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO) · Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO) · Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
Median pay (national)
$104,240
$64,370–$126,890 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
5,990
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-7.7%
~700 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for nuclear technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $126,890 versus $64,370 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $104,240 leaves roughly 22% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -7.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 14 states with released data, New York pays the most for this role (median $121,460, +17% vs the national median), while Tennessee sits lowest at $94,620 — a 28% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Modify, devise, or maintain nuclear equipment used in operations.
- Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
- Perform testing, maintenance, repair, or upgrading of accelerator systems.
- Warn maintenance workers of radiation hazards and direct workers to vacate hazardous areas.
Tools & technology
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Structured query language SQL
- Data logging software
- Database software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- VMware
- VMWare ESX Server
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics