# Nuclear Engineers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2161.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $133,970 (10th percentile $92,960, 90th percentile $196,290)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, +0.4%
- Openings a year: 800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 65 |
| Investigative (I) | 91 |
| Artistic (A) | 17 |
| Social (S) | 15 |
| Enterprising (E) | 25 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 96/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 88/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 85/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 83/100)
- Processing Information (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 75/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Science, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Physics, Mathematics, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Chemistry, Computers and Electronics, Design, Mechanical, Education and Training

## Also called

Atomic Process Engineer, Core Measures Abstractor, Engineer, Engineering Officer, Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer, Nuclear Design Engineer, Nuclear Electrician, Nuclear Engineer, Nuclear Equipment Design Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Nuclear Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1423) (CIP 1423, 35 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-main-campus-2927) | Nuclear Engineering | $82,743 | $116,047 | $21,000 |
| [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA Tech](https://www.collegesref.com/college/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus-ga-tech-1072) | Nuclear Engineering | not reported | $114,772 | not reported |
| [Texas A & M University-College Station](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-a-m-university-college-station-2694) | Nuclear Engineering | $75,747 | $103,438 | $19,000 |
| [University of Wisconsin-Madison Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-wisconsin-madison-main-campus-3084) | Nuclear Engineering | not reported | $102,449 | not reported |
| [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](https://www.collegesref.com/college/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh-1884) | Nuclear Engineering | not reported | $100,212 | $20,000 |
| [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville-main-campus-2761) | Nuclear Engineering | $90,657 | $99,139 | $18,642 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Nuclear Engineering | not reported | $94,330 | not reported |
| [Oregon State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/oregon-state-university-2035) | Nuclear Engineering | not reported | $94,105 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Nuclear Power Reactor Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-power-reactor-operators): $122,890 median pay
- [Nuclear Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-technicians): $110,240 median pay
- [Nuclear Monitoring Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-monitoring-technicians): $110,240 median pay
- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Geothermal Production Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geothermal-production-managers): $126,060 median pay
- [Environmental Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/environmental-engineers): $107,110 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.