Nuclear technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,150 | $35.17 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $110,240 | $53.00 |
| Mean (average) | $108,940 | $52.37 |
| 90th percentile | $133,600 | $64.23 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Nuclear technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 14 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $110,240 | $97,500 | $153,280 | 280 | 3.24 |
| California | $99,270 | $58,830 | $115,630 | ||
| Florida | $135,550 | $88,310 | $135,550 | 60 | 0.14 |
| Illinois | $110,390 | $65,750 | $125,360 | 780 | 3.08 |
| Massachusetts | $113,390 | $83,710 | $113,410 | 50 | 0.34 |
| Missouri | $104,580 | $50,920 | $124,580 | 150 | 1.25 |
| New York | $129,780 | $99,820 | $171,470 | 260 | 0.66 |
| North Carolina | $110,430 | $108,780 | $128,310 | 420 | 2.03 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,070 | $104,320 | $153,120 | 310 | 1.24 |
| South Carolina | $108,490 | $88,210 | $124,190 | 750 | 7.79 |
| Tennessee | $91,980 | $78,850 | $121,330 | 110 | 0.83 |
| Texas | $124,060 | $101,190 | $126,960 | 110 | 0.2 |
| Virginia | $98,930 | $60,830 | $161,720 | 680 | 3.96 |
| Washington | $108,200 | $75,510 | $127,910 | 90 | 0.61 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for nuclear technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 900. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 2.7%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for nuclear technicians
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician CIP 15.1401
- Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician CIP 41.0204
- Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician CIP 41.0205
- Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians, Other CIP 41.0299
- Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician CIP 51.0916
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Linux (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Structured query language SQL (hot technology)
- Data logging software
- Database software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- VMWare ESX Server
- VMware
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Operation and Control, Troubleshooting, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: Auxiliary Operator, Equipment Operator, Licensed Nuclear Operator, Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO), Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO), Nuclear Auxiliary Operator, Nuclear Equipment Operator (NEO), Nuclear Plant Equipment Operator (NAPEO), Operations Technician, Systems Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear technicians make?
The national median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $73,150 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $133,600. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do nuclear technicians need?
BLS lists associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is nuclear technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of nuclear technicians to change +1.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 900 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay nuclear technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Florida ($135,550), New York ($129,780), Pennsylvania ($124,070). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.