Career Explorer Science
Human edge, steady
Nuclear technicians
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.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 55% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +1.1% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $110,240
- Job growth to 2035
- +1.1%
- Openings a year
- 900
- People doing it (2025)
- 6,700
- Usual route in
- Associate's degree, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
- Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment
- Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
- Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standards
- Inspect facilities or equipment
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as the continued decline in nuclear power plants will lead to less demand for nuclear technicians to conduct nuclear testing and research.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Forensic science techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +13.3%
- Agricultural inspectorsHuman edge, steady, Index 62, +2.3%
- Motorboat operatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +4.9%
- Biological techniciansGrows with AI, Index 65, +7.4%
Also known as: Licensed Nuclear Operator, Nuclear Auxiliary Operator, Nuclear Equipment Operator (NEO), Operations Technician, Health Physics Technician (HP Tech), Radiation Protection Specialist (RP Specialist), Radiation Protection Technician (RPT), Radiochemical Technician.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.