Nuclear Technician salary in the U.S.
Nuclear Technicians in the U.S. earn a median of $110,240 a year ($53.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,600 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $108,940, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear technicians in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,150 | $35.17 |
| 25th percentile | $99,110 | $47.65 |
| Median | $110,240 | $53.00 |
| 75th percentile | $123,990 | $59.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,600 | $64.23 |
| Average (mean) | $108,940 | $52.37 |
Half of nuclear technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,186.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,593.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,240 |
| Weekly | $2,120 |
| Hourly | $53.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Technician salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $135,550 | 60 |
| New York | $129,780 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,070 | 310 |
| Texas | $124,060 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $113,390 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $110,430 | 420 |
| Illinois | $110,390 | 780 |
| Alabama | $110,240 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $108,490 | 750 |
| Washington | $108,200 | 90 |
| Missouri | $104,580 | 150 |
| California | $99,270 | n/a |
| Virginia | $98,930 | 680 |
| Tennessee | $91,980 | 110 |
Best-paying metro areas for nuclear technicians
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $171,470 | 100 |
| Birmingham, AL | $126,930 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $122,210 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $114,910 | 90 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $113,390 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $108,210 | 260 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,990 | 470 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $96,730 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $78,850 | 60 |
Metro areas with the most nuclear technicians
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 470 | $99,990 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 260 | $108,210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 100 | $171,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 90 | $114,910 |
| Birmingham, AL | 60 | $126,930 |
| Knoxville, TN | 60 | $78,850 |
| Richmond, VA | 60 | $122,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 50 | $113,390 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 30 | $96,730 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | $29.81 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,560 | $26.23 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,150 | $43.34 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | $39.53 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear technician make in the U.S.?
The median salary for nuclear technicians in the U.S. is $110,240 a year, or $53.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear technicians make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of nuclear technicians in the U.S. earn at least $133,600 a year. The top 25% earn $123,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear technicians in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,150 a year, and a quarter of nuclear technicians earn $99,110 or less.
How many nuclear technicians work in the U.S.?
About 6,470 nuclear technicians are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.