Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: Associate's Degree and 1 to 3 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
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.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringMonitoringReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningQuality Control Analysis
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Nuclear Technician pay by experience level
Entry level$75,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$102,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$114,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$128,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$138,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-7.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
700
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Nuclear Technician salary by industry
Utilities
3,600 workers
$122,000
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
3,600 workers
$122,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
1,770 workers
$103,000
Scientific Research and Development Services
700 workers
$94,000
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
520 workers
$116,000
Waste Management and Remediation Services
210 workers
$105,000
Administrative and Support Services
190 workers
$99,500
Facilities Support Services
120 workers
$85,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
100 workers
$108,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
90 workers
$118,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Nuclear Technician pays 12% above the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nuclear Technician make?
The average base salary for a Nuclear Technician in the United States is $112,500 per year, or about $54.09 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $102,500 and $128,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Nuclear Technician pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
