Nuclear Technicians
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Work takes place in laboratories and power plants, assisting nuclear physicists, engineers, or other scientists. The job is to run, maintain, and quality-check nuclear testing and research equipment. That means following operating and radiation-safety procedures, running surveillance tests, watching reactor and plant equipment for hazards or signs it needs repair, and tagging gear that is out of service. Radiation monitoring can be part of the role. People who prefer close system oversight, careful reading of procedures, and tracking performance so problems are caught early tend to fit this work.
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$110'240
Median Wage Market Position
$110'240
What you might do
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment during operation
- Test plant equipment to confirm it works safely
- Follow radiation-worker safety policies and procedures
- Tag equipment that needs maintenance or repair
- Run surveillance tests to check nuclear equipment
- Maintain or modify nuclear equipment used on site
Skills that matter
- Monitoring reactor equipment for hazards
- Conducting nuclear safety surveillance tests
- Testing plant equipment for proper operation
- Following radiation worker safety procedures
- Tagging equipment that needs maintenance
- Maintaining nuclear testing and research equipment
AI & the future of this role
Strict licensing, liability, and radiation safety make remote or fully automated operation unlikely in most settings. Equipment maintenance and live monitoring still depend on trained staff, even as software may assist with data tracking.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details