Nuclear Technician salary in California
Nuclear Technicians in California earn a median of $99,270 a year ($47.72 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,630 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $110,240. California ranks 12th of 14 states for nuclear technicians pay. The average (mean) salary is $94,690, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| 25th percentile | $94,470 | $45.42 |
| Median | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| 75th percentile | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,630 | $55.59 |
| Average (mean) | $94,690 | $45.53 |
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 | $8,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,136.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,818.08 |
| Weekly | $1,909.04 |
| Hourly | $47.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for nuclear technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $135,550 |
| New York | $129,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,070 |
| Texas | $124,060 |
| Massachusetts | $113,390 |
| North Carolina | $110,430 |
| Illinois | $110,390 |
| Alabama | $110,240 |
| South Carolina | $108,490 |
| Washington | $108,200 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for nuclear technicians in California is $99,270 a year, or $47.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear technicians make in California?
The top 10% of nuclear technicians in California earn at least $115,630 a year. The top 25% earn $112,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,830 a year, and a quarter of nuclear technicians earn $94,470 or less.