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Nuclear Engineers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $133,970 Median per year · $64.41/hr Most earn $92,960–$196,290

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
  • Design or direct nuclear research projects to develop, test, modify, or discover new uses for theoretical models.
  • Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.
  • Discuss construction project proposals with interested parties, such as vendors, contractors, or nuclear facility review boards.
  • Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
  • Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.

Job outlook

United States
About the same number of jobs by 2035, little or no change · about 800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Nuclear electric power generation21.4%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences20.0%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service17.5%
  • Engineering services14.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Nuclear engineering is not usually an entry-level job. Most people earn a bachelor's degree and then spend about 2 to 4 years in related engineering or plant work before taking on this role.

  1. Bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering (or mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering)

    4 years

    You learn the math, physics, and engineering basics, and a nuclear-focused major gives you the most direct start in the field.

  2. Entry-level engineer at a nuclear plant, research lab, or energy company

    2-4 years

    You work on real projects such as safety analysis, equipment testing, or plant operations, which builds the experience employers look for.

  3. Nuclear Engineer

    Career role

    You research and design nuclear systems, apply nuclear science to energy and waste problems, and oversee safety and compliance.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Nuclear Engineer

    Several years as a Nuclear Engineer of experience first

    You take on larger projects, lead small teams, and make more of the design and safety decisions yourself.

  2. Engineering Manager

    Several years as a senior engineer of experience first

    You guide a team's budget, schedule, and staff, and spend more time on planning and coordination than on hands-on technical work.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take advanced math and scienceCalculus, physics, and chemistry prepare you for a bachelor's degree in engineering.
  • Join a robotics, science, or engineering clubBuilding and testing projects with a team shows you how engineers solve real problems.
  • Enter a science fair or engineering competitionPresenting a project teaches you how to explain technical work, which engineers do often.
  • Volunteer or shadow at a local energy or science facilitySeeing real workplaces helps you understand what nuclear and energy engineers actually do.
  • Get a starter job that builds reliabilityPart-time work, like tutoring or a retail or food job, teaches responsibility and teamwork that are useful in any engineering job.

In college

  • Major in nuclear, mechanical, or chemical engineeringAn accredited engineering degree is the usual entry point and the core requirement for this career.
  • Seek a summer internship at a power company, national lab, or engineering firmHands-on work in the field builds experience that employers expect after graduation.
  • Join an engineering or energy student clubClubs offer project teams, networking, and chances to learn from upperclassmen and professionals.
  • Work as a lab assistant or research helperWorking with professors on research shows you can handle technical projects and may lead to a useful recommendation.
  • Learn basic safety and radiation training if your school offers itKnowing safety rules and procedures is valuable because nuclear work depends heavily on safety and compliance.

Tips for getting started

  • Take the hardest math and science classes you can, especially calculus, physics, and chemistry, since they are the foundation for every engineering major.
  • Look for summer jobs or internships at power companies, research labs, or engineering firms, even if the first role is support work. Hands-on experience makes your application stand out.
  • Talk with a nuclear or mechanical engineer about what their day looks like. It helps you decide if this field fits your interests.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Nuclear Engineering Bachelor's degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $77,236 a year · typical debt $20,000

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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