Engineering and Architecture · Career brief

Nuclear Engineers

Is it a good career to pursue?

The 30-second read

Nuclear Engineers at a glance

Six signals to look at before you spend time on the full guide.

1Pay

$133,970

Very high national median pay

2025 national median. Top 10% for pay among careers on ChooseField.

2Demand

0.4%

Slow projected growth

Projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Below the middle of ChooseField careers for growth.

3Openings

800

Low national opening volume

Average openings per year in 2025–2035, including replacement hiring. Bottom quarter for openings among careers on ChooseField.

4Route in

Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is typically expected

Bachelor's degree. Prior related work is not typically required.

5The work

Analytical

Problem-solving and analysis dominate the profile

Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.

6The catch

Know this first

What could make this a poor fit

BLS projects essentially flat employment (0.4%) through 2035. Annual openings mostly reflect replacement, not a rapidly expanding field.

ChooseField take

The standout national signal is pay; it ranks in the top quarter of ChooseField careers. It makes the most sense if analytical work appeals to you and you are comfortable with a bachelor's-degree path. Main tradeoff: BLS projects essentially flat employment (0.4%) through 2035. Annual openings mostly reflect replacement, not a rapidly expanding field.

Before choosing, compare:Aerospace Engineers Environmental Engineers Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors

National labor-market measures: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. Work-profile signals: O*NET. See sources and caveats.

Compare Nuclear Engineers with another field Explore rankings in Engineering and Architecture Open shareable infographic

Want the evidence behind the snapshot?

Market and path

Pay, outlook, and the route in

National median pay (2025)

$133,970

A midpoint for workers nationwide, not a starting salary.

2025–2035 outlook

0.4%employment growth800openings per year

Openings include replacement hiring, not only newly created jobs.

Typical entry route

Bachelor's degree

BLS reports the usual education, related experience, and on-the-job training, not a guaranteed minimum for every employer.

2025 employment

16,600

A small national occupation; local availability may be uneven.

Source: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 occupational projections ↗ · Nuclear engineers (17-2161).

Actual responsibilities

What you would be trusted to own

Selected O*NET task statements, not a list of traits that applies to almost every career.

Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.

Decision-changing realities

What could make this a poor fit

BLS projects essentially flat employment (0.4%) through 2035. Annual openings mostly reflect replacement, not a rapidly expanding field.

Work profile

What the work emphasizes

O*NET importance scores. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.9
Working with Computers4.5
Analyzing Data or Information4.4
Getting Information4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.4

Interest profile

Career interests

O*NET interest scores describe work someone may enjoy, not personality requirements. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Relative mix of the interest scores below, not percentages of your workday.

Investigative6.4
Realistic4.9
Conventional4.5
Enterprising2.5
Artistic2.1
Social1.9

Preparation

What the training must make you competent at

Subject matter

Engineering and Technology Physics Mathematics Public Safety and Security

Software and tools named in job postings

Python ANSYS simulation software

Before choosing the major or training

Run a cheaper test first

Complete a small design-build-test project with real constraints: measure, model, build or simulate, test, and revise after the first failure.
Ask an early-career worker which beginner task consumes the most time, what makes new hires quit, and what school or training failed to simulate.

The fuller career guide

How the evidence fits together

Pay and demand: reading the benchmark

The pay and outlook figures describe Nuclear engineers nationally. They do not establish the salary or number of vacancies available in your area.

Median pay is the middle wage across workers, not a starting offer. Projected openings include replacements as well as growth; neither measure predicts an individual worker's job security.

Before choosing a program

O*NET lists Critical Thinking, Science, Active Listening among this occupation's skills. Ask a program to show the assignments, supervised practice, and assessment that develop these skills. Compare those examples with local job descriptions. Examples of tools used in the occupation include Python, ANSYS simulation software; check which ones employers near you actually require.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this career

Can I enter this occupation without related work experience?

BLS does not assign a related-experience requirement to the occupation. Employers may still ask for placements, supervised practice, a portfolio, or experience with particular tools. Check entry-level vacancies separately from experienced roles.

What should I check before paying for training?

Get the full prerequisite and completion timeline, total cost, placement arrangements, and any licensing eligibility in writing. Ask local employers whether they hire graduates from the route you are considering and whether paid training is available.

Adjacent options