Nuclear technicians
SOC Code: 19-4051
Nuclear technicians carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $104,240 and -7.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 6,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Nuclear technicians (SOC 19-4051) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, placing it in the High 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 in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 6,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -7.7% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $104,240, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate'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 technicians. 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. Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- 2. Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- 3. Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- 4. Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- 5. Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
- 6. Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- 7. Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
- 8. Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
- 9. Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
- 10. Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Operations Monitoring
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Instructing
- Writing
- Mathematics
Knowledge Areas
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Nuclear technicians?
Nuclear technicians has an AI exposure score of 42%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Nuclear technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Nuclear technicians is projected to decline by 7.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 6,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Nuclear technicians?
Key skills for Nuclear technicians include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Nuclear technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Nuclear technicians is $104,240, 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 technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Nuclear technicians is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Nuclear technicians?
Nuclear technicians 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
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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).