Nuclear Technician Education Requirements and Career Info
Nuclear technicians specialize in nuclear energy. They operate and maintain equipment in nuclear power plants and may assist scientists with nuclear research.
Education Requirements
Nuclear technicians, who are a type of science technician, usually need 2-4 years of postsecondary education. Employers may look for nuclear technicians who have earned a certificate or an associate's degree in an area like nuclear technology. Coursework includes nuclear physics, chemistry, electricity, radiation and mathematics. Programs may also include supervised experiences in the field.
Although nuclear technicians may be able to find work with just a high school diploma, those without postsecondary education need to receive extensive on-the-job training. They should also have completed several advanced math and science courses while in high school. Some nuclear technicians receive prior training from the U.S. Navy, which operates nuclear ships and submarines. Nuclear technician trainees are supervised by experienced technicians. They learn how to service the nuclear equipment at power plants and ensure that safety procedures are followed.
Career Information
Nuclear technicians operate nuclear equipment, monitor radiation levels, provide quality control support and assist nuclear physicists in research activities. After working as trainees, nuclear technicians may move into positions that have more responsibility and less supervision. With more experience, some nuclear technicians can become supervisors. Because of the nature of their work, nuclear technicians risk exposure to radiation.
Employment Statistics
Nuclear technicians must have strong communication skills and be able to work well with others. They should be organized, detail-oriented and mechanically adept. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), nuclear technicians held approximately 6,400 jobs in 2008. More than half worked for utilities like nuclear power plants. A nine percent job growth rate is expected between 2008 and 2018. Opportunities will exist mostly in research, development and green energy.
Nuclear Tech Salaries
According to PayScale.com, median hourly wages for nuclear technicians with 1-4 years of experience ranged between $18.49 and $33.70 per hour in 2010. Nuclear technicians with 20 or more years of experience earned between $28.45 and $35.44 per hour. The BLS reported median wages of $32.64 per hour in 2008. According to PayScale.com, the most popular states for jobs in nuclear technology include Texas, California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina.
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1 Popular School
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Texas (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of North Texas include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Technologies
Other Related Schools:
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Plastics Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Surveying
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering - Architectural
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
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School locations:
- Illinois (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Illinois include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Ceramic Sciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- New York (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Cornell University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Systems Engineering
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School locations:
- Oregon (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Oregon State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Environmental Engineering
- Forest Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
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School locations:
- Utah (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Utah include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Environmental Engineering
- Geological Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
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School locations:
- Georgia (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Georgia Institute of Technology include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Engineering
- Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical and Medical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Electronics
- Engineering Mechanics
- Environmental Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Plastics Engineering
- Textile Technologies
