What Does a Nuclear Technician Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a nuclear technician do?

Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers and other professionals in nuclear research and power generation, monitoring radiation, operating equipment and running tests. The median pay is $110,240 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years + plant training, and employment is projected to grow +1.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$110,240
$53.00/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+1.1%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
900
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
2 years + plant training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
6,700
Employment, 2025

What nuclear technicians do

Nuclear technicians support safe nuclear work. Radiation protection technicians survey areas for radiation and contamination, control access, track worker dose and guide teams in radiation areas. Chemistry technicians sample and analyze plant water. Others operate equipment in research labs, medical isotope facilities and fuel plants.

Most nuclear technicians have an associate degree in nuclear technology or a related science, and many come from the Navy. Employment is small and roughly steady, and pay is high.

Typical duties

Survey areas for radiation and contamination
Monitor and track worker dose
Control access to radiation areas
Sample and analyze water and air
Calibrate radiation instruments
Support maintenance in radiation areas
Keep records and reports

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in nuclear plants, labs and facilities, sometimes in protective clothing in radiation areas.

Schedule: Plant techs may work shifts and long hours during refueling outages.

A day in the life

6:00 AMReview the day’s radiation work permits.
7:00 AMSurvey an area before maintenance work begins.
8:30 AMBrief workers on dose limits and stay times.
10:00 AMCover a job in a contaminated area.

See a full day in the life of a nuclear technician →

Nuclear Technician salary

Half of nuclear technicians earned more than $110,240 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $73,150 for the lowest 10% to $133,600 for the top 10%.

$73,15010th$110,240Median$133,60090th

Full nuclear technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a nuclear technician

Study science and math
Earn an associate degree
Get hired as a junior tech
Complete qualifications
Advance

An associate degree in nuclear technology or a related science is typical; Navy nuclear experience is common.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a nuclear technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Radiation protection
Survey instruments
Contamination control
Dosimetry
Lab analysis

People skills

Attention to detail
Communication
Integrity
Calmness

All nuclear technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

High pay with an associate degree
Protect workers and the public
Technical science work
Outage overtime

Cons

Small field
Protective clothing and heat
Shift and outage hours
Strict security

Certifications and licenses

NRRPT registration: National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists.
Plant technician qualifications: Site-specific.
Navy nuclear training: A common entry route.
Respirator and confined space training: Safety training.

Career path

Junior Technician: Learn surveys.
Nuclear Technician: Cover jobs independently.
Senior Tech or Specialist: Lead teams.
Radiation Protection Supervisor: Manage programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Nuclear Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a radiation survey and apply time, distance and shielding, safety and how to land your first job.

View Nuclear Technician training Is this career right for me?

Nuclear Reactor Operator

Control nuclear reactors that generate carbon-free electricity.

$122,890
2–4+ years

Radiologic Technologist

Take the X-rays and diagnostic images doctors use to find fractures, disease and injuries.

$80,110
2 years

Chemical Technician

Run chemical tests and experiments that support research and production.

$60,390
2 years

Power Plant Operator

Run the turbines, boilers and controls that generate electricity.

$102,040
1–3+ years on the job

Compare: Nuclear Technician vs. Nuclear Reactor Operator · Nuclear Technician vs. Rad Tech · Nuclear Technician vs. Chemical Technician · Nuclear Technician vs. Power Plant Operator

Nuclear Technician FAQ

Do nuclear technicians need a degree?

An associate degree is typical.

Is radiation work safe?

Doses are kept low with strict controls.

Where do they work?

Power plants, labs, government sites and medical isotope facilities.

How much does a nuclear technician make?

The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $110,240 ($53.00 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $73,150 and the highest 10% earned more than $133,600.

How long does it take to become a nuclear technician?

Most people need about 2 years + plant training of training. An associate degree in nuclear technology or a related science is typical; Navy nuclear experience is common.

Do you need a degree to be a nuclear technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-4051 (Nuclear technicians).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Nuclear technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Nuclear Technician