Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Nuclear Technician
What nuclear technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the day’s radiation work permits. From there, the day usually includes survey areas for radiation and contamination, monitor and track worker dose, and control access to radiation areas. Plant techs may work shifts and long hours during refueling outages.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a nuclear technician working full time.
- Review the day’s radiation work permits.
- Survey an area before maintenance work begins.
- Brief workers on dose limits and stay times.
- Cover a job in a contaminated area.
- Count smear samples in the lab.
- Calibrate survey meters.
- Update dose records and survey maps.
Where nuclear technicians work
Technicians work in nuclear plants, labs and facilities, sometimes in protective clothing in radiation areas.
Hours and schedule
Plant techs may work shifts and long hours during refueling outages.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- 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
Tools you’ll use every day
- Survey meters
- Dosimeters
- Air samplers
- Counting equipment
- Protective clothing
- Lab instruments
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay with an associate degree
- Protect workers and the public
- Technical science work
- Outage overtime
What’s hard
- Small field
- Protective clothing and heat
- Shift and outage hours
- Strict security
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like science and math
- I want to protect people
- I’m detail-oriented
- I can follow strict rules
- I want high pay with a two-year degree
- I don’t mind protective gear
Not sure? Take the free Nuclear Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow ALARA and RWPs
- Use time, distance and shielding
- Wear dosimetry and protective clothing
- Frisk before leaving controlled areas