Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Nuclear technicians work in a specialized technical field that combines science, mechanical ability, and careful attention to detail. National employment stands at 6,000 workers, with about 1,000 job openings projected each year. While overall employment is projected to decline by 7.7%, the occupation still offers opportunities for people who bring the right education and skills. The national median annual salary of $104,240 reflects the advanced technical nature of the work. Top skills for success include strong science and mathematics abilities, mechanical aptitude, and comfort with computers and information technology. The role also demands critical and analytical thinking, fine motor skills, and the physical strength and stamina to handle job demands. Writing and reading skills support accurate documentation and communication, and adaptability helps technicians respond to changing situations. For students, career changers, and experienced workers, this career may appeal if you prefer technical, procedure-driven work and are prepared to meet the education and skill expectations.
Nuclear technicians earn a national median annual salary of $104,240, indicating strong earning potential for a technical role that typically requires an associate’s degree. Salaries vary across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York reports a median salary of $129,780 and Texas reports $124,060, both above the national median. Massachusetts, Washington, and Virginia show median salaries of $113,390, $108,200, and $98,930, respectively. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro reports a median salary of $171,470, while Richmond offers $122,210 and Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk offers $114,910. Boston-Cambridge-Newton aligns with Massachusetts at $113,390, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin shows $99,990. These figures suggest that location plays a major role in earnings, with some metros and states offering substantially higher median pay than others.
Nuclear technicians have a national employment level of 6,000, with a projected employment growth rate of -7.7%. This indicates that overall employment in this occupation is expected to decline. Despite this projected drop, there are still about 1,000 annual openings. These openings can come from a mix of factors such as workers leaving the occupation or changing careers. The combination of a shrinking employment base and continuing openings means that opportunities may be more competitive or concentrated in certain regions or employers. For students and career changers, this makes it especially important to pair the typical education level with the key skills the occupation values, such as science, mathematics, mechanical aptitude, and critical and analytical thinking. Workers considering this field should be prepared for an environment where total positions may be fewer over time, while ongoing replacement needs still generate a steady flow of job opportunities each year.
Location choice can significantly shape your experience as a nuclear technician. Among states, New York and Texas stand out for both higher median salaries—$129,780 and $124,060, respectively—and solid CareerGPS opportunity scores above 51. Massachusetts offers $113,390 with the highest state opportunity score at 65.87, while Washington at $108,200 and Virginia at $98,930 also rank among the top states, with Virginia supporting the largest listed state employment at 680. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area combines a very high median salary of $171,470 with the top metro opportunity score of 77.27. Boston-Cambridge-Newton mirrors Massachusetts’ $113,390 median pay, while Chicago-Naperville-Elgin offers $99,990 with a relatively large employment level of 470. Richmond and Virginia Beach metros show six-figure salaries of $122,210 and $114,910. These differences highlight how both state and metro choices can affect pay, opportunity score, and the scale of the local job market.
The typical education requirement for nuclear technicians is an associate’s degree, making this a technical career that does not usually require a bachelor’s degree as the standard entry pathway. To succeed, you need a combination of technical knowledge and practical abilities. Science and mathematics form a core foundation, supporting the ability to understand and work with nuclear-related concepts and data. Mechanical skills and comfort with computers and information technology are also central, reflecting the hands-on and technology-focused nature of the work. Detail orientation, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina support accurate and reliable performance. Critical and analytical thinking helps you make sound judgments, while adaptability enables you to function effectively when conditions or tasks change. Strong writing and reading skills contribute to understanding procedures and documenting work clearly. Together, this mix of education and skills prepares you for the technical demands and precision expected in this occupation.
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