Life, Physical & Social Science
Nuclear Technicians
Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Equipment Operator, Licensed Nuclear Operator, Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO)
US median pay
$110,240
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
900
6,700 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
- Perform testing, maintenance, repair, or upgrading of accelerator systems.
- Warn maintenance workers of radiation hazards and direct workers to vacate hazardous areas.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.5/5
- Troubleshooting3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Chemistry3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.