Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians

Best institutions to study Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician

Compare 12 U.S. colleges offering Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 10 states.

Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs report a median of $101,386 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 15.14 and the Nuclear Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).

Institutions
12
offering CIP 15.14
States offered
10
with a program page
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
189
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$101,386
1 year after graduation
US pay · Nuclear Technicians
$108,940
BLS OEWS May 2025

About Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs

The Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares students for careers in the field of nuclear engineering, focusing on the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying scientific principles and engineering techniques to ensure the safety and functionality of nuclear systems.

Learn more about Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician

What you'll learn

Students in this program gain essential skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures. Coursework covers important topics such as public safety, mechanical systems, physics, and chemistry, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to effectively manage nuclear equipment and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Excelsior University
Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$101,386109$8,729
2Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR Public · Associate degree
$74,2491249%

Offered across 10 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
New York3$101,386Excelsior University
Arkansaslimited1$74,249Arkansas Tech University
Georgialimited1
Idaholimited1
Michiganlimited1
Minnesotalimited1
North Dakotalimited1
Ohiolimited1
Virginialimited1
Washingtonlimited1

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program can expect a career outlook with an annual opening of approximately 700 positions. However, the field is projected to experience a decline of 7.7%. The typical education required is an Associate's degree, with a median wage of $104,240.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-7.7%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$104,240
typically Associate's degree
National employment
6,470
Nuclear Technicians
US average pay
$108,940
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$110,240
annual

Top-paying metros

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$148,710avg
Birmingham, AL
$128,840avg
Richmond, VA
$122,440avg
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
$115,570avg
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
$106,290avg

Related careers

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
$80,960 avg · 59,930 jobs
Nuclear Technicians
$108,940 avg · 6,470 jobs

CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician

The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.14.

Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.14 (Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.

SOC codeOccupation
17-3029Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
19-4051Nuclear Techniciansprimary

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.

Skills & knowledge in Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Monitoring
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Writing
Speaking
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Public Safety and Security
Mechanical
Physics
Engineering and Technology
Education and Training
Chemistry

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.

Concentrations within Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
    CIP 15.1401

    A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering, knowledge and technical skills in support of engineer and other professionals operating nuclear facilities and engaged in nuclear applic

Common questions

What is the main focus of the Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician program?+

The program focuses on the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and safety procedures.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook indicates a decline of 7.7%, with about 700 annual openings.

What level of education is typically required?+

An Associate's degree is typically required for careers in this field.

How much do Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+

Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician graduates report median earnings of $101,386 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Nuclear Technicians occupation pays about $108,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

What is the CIP code for Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician?+

Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician maps to CIP 15.14 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.

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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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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