Best institutions to study Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of research scientists and operating engineers engaged in the running of nuclear reactors, and in nuclear materials processing and disposal.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 78 Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 41.0205, a specialization of Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02), and leads most directly to the Nuclear Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4051).
About Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of research scientists and operating engineers engaged in the running of nuclear reactors, and in nuclear materials processing and disposal. Includes instruction in basic nuclear physics and nuclear engineering, monitoring and safety procedures, radioactive materials handling and disposal, equipment maintenance and operation, and record keeping.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support research scientists and engineers in the operation of nuclear reactors and the processing and disposal of nuclear materials. This program is ideal for those interested in applying scientific principles and technical skills in a critical and safety-focused field.
Students in this program gain knowledge in basic nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, monitoring and safety procedures, and radioactive materials handling. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, which are essential for ensuring safety and operational efficiency in nuclear environments.
Credentials awarded
What Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree44 graduates / yr · 5 institutions56%
- Bachelor's degree32 graduates / yr · 2 institutions41%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 219 |
| 2013 | 265 |
| 2014 | 177 |
| 2015 | 170 |
| 2016 | 176 |
| 2017 | 205 |
| 2018 | 147 |
| 2019 | 140 |
| 2020 | 71 |
| 2021 | 77 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 114 |
| 2024 | 111 |
| 2025 | 78 |
Top 8 institutions for Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublicBachelor's | 31 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 17 | 24% | — | — |
| 3 | Wharton County Junior College Wharton, TXPublicAssociate's | 13 | 27% | — | — |
| 4 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MOPublicAssociate's | 8 | 84% | — | $49,762 |
| 5 | Salem Community College Carneys Point, NJPublicAssociate's | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 6 | Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NCPublicAssociate's | 3 | 34% | — | — |
| 7 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 0% | — | — |
| 8 | Siena Heights University Adrian, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 39% | $17,015 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 41.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states
Where Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2 | 34 | Thomas Edison State University31 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 17 | Connecticut State Community College17 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 13 | Wharton County Junior College13 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 8 | State Technical College of Missouri8 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | Cape Fear Community College3 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 2 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion2 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Siena Heights University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as Nuclear Technicians or Nuclear Power Reactor Operators. The job outlook indicates a decline of 7.7%, with about 700 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $104,240, with an Associate's degree being the typical education required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 41.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuclear Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4051 | $110,240 | -7.7% Decline | ~700 | Associate's degree |
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators SOC 51-8011 | $122,890 | -15.3% Decline | ~400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
Tools and technology used
Other Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02).
Common questions
What degree can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 7.7%, with about 700 annual openings.
What is the median wage for nuclear technicians?+
The median wage for nuclear technicians is approximately $104,240.
What is the CIP code for Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician?+
Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician is CIP 41.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of research scientists and operating engineers engaged in the running of nuclear reactors, and in nuclear materials processing and disposal. Includes instruction in basic nuclear physics and nuclear engineering, monitoring and safety procedures, radioactive materials handling and disposal, equipment maintenance and operation, and record keeping.
How many institutions offer Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 78 credentials in the year. That is 28.4% of all Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nuclear Technicians occupation, which Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $49,762 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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