How much does a nuclear technician make?
The median nuclear technician in the United States earns $104,240 per year, about $50.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all nuclear technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-4051.
Nuclear technician salary range
Pay for nuclear technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,370 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,890. The average (mean) wage is $100,730, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,370 | $30.95 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $83,330 | $40.06 | |
| Median (50th) | $104,240 | $50.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $113,710 | $54.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,890 | $61.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for nuclear technicians (SOC 19-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Nuclear technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Nuclear technicians earn the most in New York at $121,460 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $94,620. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $121,460 | 200 |
| Florida | $118,340 | 60 |
| Alabama | $107,680 | 170 |
| Virginia | $106,270 | 320 |
| New Mexico | $105,350 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $105,300 | 760 |
| Pennsylvania | $104,650 | 330 |
| Michigan | $104,450 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $104,240 | 430 |
| Illinois | $102,810 | 870 |
| Washington | $100,080 | 90 |
| Texas | $97,160 | 170 |
| Missouri | $96,930 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $94,620 | 70 |
State median wages for nuclear technicians (SOC 19-4051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for nuclear technicians
The BLS projects employment of nuclear technicians to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 6,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for nuclear technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a nuclear technician
The typical entry-level education for nuclear technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a nuclear technician earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $121,460) and the lowest (Tennessee, $94,620) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,990 people work as nuclear technicians in the United States. At $104,240 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Nuclear technician salary FAQ
How much does a nuclear technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a nuclear technician is $50.11. The middle half of nuclear technicians earn between $40.06 and $54.67 per hour.
What is the highest nuclear technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of nuclear technicians earn more than $126,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a nuclear technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a nuclear technician is $104,240. The average (mean) wage is $100,730, close to the median.
Is being a nuclear technician a well paid job?
At $104,240 a year, a nuclear technician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,990 people work as nuclear technicians in the United States.
Which state pays nuclear technicians the most?
New York has the highest median salary for nuclear technicians at $121,460 a year. Florida ($118,340) and Alabama ($107,680) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a nuclear technician a good career?
Employment of nuclear technicians is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a nuclear technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for nuclear technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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