Nuclear engineers
SOC Code: 17-2161
Nuclear engineers carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $127,520 and -1.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 15,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 31% AI exposure, Nuclear engineers sits 6 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 33% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Nuclear engineers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Nuclear engineers has ai exposure of 31%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Nuclear engineers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Nuclear engineers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Nuclear engineers (SOC 17-2161) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 15,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $127,520, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Nuclear engineers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- 2. Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- 3. Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- 4. Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- 5. Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
- 6. Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
- 7. Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
- 8. Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
- 9. Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
- 10. Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.
Key Skills Required
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Nuclear engineers?
Nuclear engineers has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear engineers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Nuclear engineers is projected to decline by 1.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 15,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Nuclear engineers?
Key skills for Nuclear engineers include Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Nuclear engineers earn?
The median annual wage for Nuclear engineers is $127,520, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Nuclear engineers?
The typical entry-level education for Nuclear engineers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Nuclear engineers?
Nuclear engineers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).