Nuclear Engineers
Overview
Introduction
Nuclear engineers are concerned with accessing, using, and controlling the energy released when the nucleus of an atom is split. The process of splitting atoms, called fission, produces a nuclear reaction, which creates radiation in addition to nuclear energy. Nuclear energy and radiation has many uses. Some engineers design, develop, and operate nuclear power plants, which are used to generate electricity and power navy ships. Others specialize in developing nuclear weapons, medical uses for radioactive materials, and disposal faci...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Nuclear engineers earned a median income of $125,460 in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The median annual salary for workers in all careers was $48,069. The department also reports that the highest paid 10 percent of nuclear engineers earned more than $174,020, while the lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $82,150 annually. Fifty percent of nuclear engineers earned between ...
Work Environment
In general, nuclear engineering is a technically demanding and politically volatile field. Those who work daily at power plants perhaps incur the most stress because they are responsible for preventing large-scale accidents involving radiation. Those who work directly with nuclear energy face risks associated with radiation contamination. Engineers handling the disposal of hazardous material al...
Outlook
Job opportunities for nuclear engineers are expected to decline by 1 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most openings will arise as nuclear engineers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, good opportunities for nuclear engineers should still exist because the small number of nuclear engineering graduates is likely to be in balan...