Median pay
$127,520
Median annual pay for Nuclear Engineers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗
View source ↗
Engineering and Architecture
Nuclear Engineers
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
10-year growth
-1.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗
View source ↗
Annual openings
800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗
View source ↗
Employment
15,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Nuclear Engineers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗
View source ↗
Jobs added or lost
-200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗
View source ↗
Entry preparation
Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Nuclear Engineers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Critical Thinking
- 2Science
- 3Active Listening
- 4Mathematics
- 5Monitoring
- 6Reading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
- 1Engineering and Technology
- 2Physics
- 3Mathematics
- 4English Language
- 5Public Safety and Security
- 6Chemistry
Abilities
- 1Problem Sensitivity
- 2Written Expression
- 3Category Flexibility
- 4Deductive Reasoning
- 5Inductive Reasoning
- 6Information Ordering
Career interests
- 1Investigative
- 2Realistic
- 3Conventional
- 4Enterprising
- 5Artistic
- 6Social
Work styles
- 1Attention to Detail
- 2Dependability
- 3Integrity
- 4Cautiousness
- 5Intellectual Curiosity
- 6Self-Control
Work activities
- 1Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- 2Working with Computers
- 3Analyzing Data or Information
- 4Getting Information
- 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Work context
- 1E-Mail
- 2Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- 3Telephone Conversations
- 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- 6Health and Safety of Other Workers
Representative tasks
- 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.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
- Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
- Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
- Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
Software and tools
Python · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandANSYS simulation software · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyThe MathWorks MATLAB · hot technologySAS · hot technologySAP software · hot technologySalesforce software · hot technologyOracle Java · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technology
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.