Occupations/19-4051.00
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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
45%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
57%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
77%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Mostly routine
Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Mostly routine
Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- 02Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- 03Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- 04Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- 05Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- 06Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks4.32
- Degree of automation2.33
- Time sitting2.57
- Originality (ability)2.75
- Conflict situations3.22
- Hands-on objects/tools3.55
- Outdoors / weather3.92
- Disease exposure1.57
- Decision freedom3.15
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Written Comprehension3.88
- Oral Comprehension3.88
- Information Ordering3.88
- Perceptual Speed3.62
- Oral Expression3.62
- Inductive Reasoning3.62
- Near Vision3.50
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.62
- Active Listening3.62
- Writing3.25
- Speaking3.25
- Mathematics2.75
- Science2.75
- Critical Thinking3.62
- Active Learning3.38
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.75
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 66 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr $122,902 2 yr $112,319 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $120,847 2 yr $121,294 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |
Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $43,600 | 76% | 64% | 1 yr $111,992 2 yr $111,435 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $110,432 2 yr $101,645 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $103,555 2 yr $104,061 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $4,600 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $103,078 2 yr $106,838 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $2,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $101,645 2 yr $98,551 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $4,900 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $98,784 2 yr $105,529 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $98,766 2 yr $100,213 Professional · CIP 51.09 |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $97,673 2 yr $101,327 Master's · CIP 51.09 |
Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI · Public | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $4,700 | 100% | 34% | 1 yr $66,541 2 yr $57,318 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |
Emory University Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician 51.0916 | $60,800 | 11% | 91% | 1 yr $63,997 2 yr $57,318 Bachelor's · CIP 51.09 |