by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician explores Nuclear/nuclear Power Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Research Scientists And Operating Engineers Engaged In The Running Of Nuclear Reactors, And In Nuclear Materials Processing And Disposal. Includes Instruction In Basic Nuclear Physics And Nuclear Engineering, Monitoring And Safety Procedures, Radioactive Materials Handling And Disposal, Equipment Maintenance And Operation, And Record Keeping. Continue reading for the important information every nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 111 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 51 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 55 |
People currently working in careers related to nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 43.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.5% |
| Some college courses | 7.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | 214,148 | 14.1% |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | 91,226 | 10.3% |
| Nuclear Technicians | 83,637 | 11.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,486 |
| 4 years | $80,722 |
| 5 years | $98,073 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $92,140 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | $44,906 |
With 11 different nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Students interested in nuclear/nuclear power technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician | 213 |
| Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians, Other | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
