Work Environment
Nuclear technicians held about 6,600 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of nuclear technicians were as follows:
- Electric power generation, transmission and distribution - 49%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - 18%
- Manufacturing - 15%
Most nuclear technicians work in nuclear power plants, where they typically work in offices and control rooms. The technicians use computers and other equipment to monitor and help operate nuclear reactors. Nuclear technicians also need to measure radiation levels onsite, requiring them to visit several areas in and around the plant throughout the workday. This task may sometimes require them to work outside, regardless of weather conditions. Working around nuclear reactors may involve exposure to high temperatures. Nuclear technicians who conduct scientific tests for scientists and engineers typically work in laboratories.
Nuclear technicians must take precautions when working with or around nuclear materials. They often have to wear protective gear and special badges that indicate whether they have been exposed to radiation. Protective gear may include hardhats, hearing and eye protection, plastic suits, and respirators.
Work Schedules
Most nuclear technicians work full time. In power plants, which operate 24 hours a day, technicians may work variable schedules that include nights, holidays, and weekends. Occasionally, plants stop operations for maintenance and upgrades. Workers may need to work overtime during these periods. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.
Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to decline 12 percent from 2020 to 2030.
Despite declining employment, about 700 openings for nuclear technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to be limited because automation is increasing productivity of traditional sources of power generation: coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. In addition, increasing production from alternative forms of power generation, such as solar arrays and wind turbines, will impact employment growth in traditional energy production. However, some technicians will be needed to help maintain and upgrade existing nuclear power plants.
Earnings
The median annual wage for nuclear technicians was $99,340 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $60,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $126,600.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for nuclear technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Electric power generation, transmission and distribution - $100,230
- Manufacturing - $79,000
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $79,000
Most nuclear technicians work full time. In power plants, which operate 24 hours a day, technicians may work variable schedules that include nights, holidays, and weekends. Occasionally, plants stop operations for maintenance and upgrades. Workers may need to work overtime during these periods. In laboratories, technicians typically work during normal business hours.
