Life, Physical, and Social Science
Nuclear Technicians
Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.
Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Equipment Operator, Licensed Nuclear Operator, Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO), Non-Licensed Nuclear Plant Operator (NLO), Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $113,390
- $54.51/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 50
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- Not published
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- Associate's degree
- plus Moderate-term on-the-job training
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $83,710 | $83,740 | $113,390 | $113,400 | $113,410 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
What you’d do
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Moderate exposure48 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 51
- Language-model AIOE 45
- GPTs-are-GPTs 48
Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)
AI exposure is moderate, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools may help with reviewing equipment data and spotting patterns in performance. Following safety procedures, testing plant equipment, and tagging equipment for repair are physical, rule-based tasks that people carry out.
Likely to change
- Reviewing equipment performance data for problems
- Flagging maintenance needs from monitoring readings
Still relies on people
- Testing plant equipment in person
- Following safety procedures and tagging equipment
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Next steps from here
Related jobs that build on what you already do.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Following safety rules and checking alignment with precise tools carry over. This apprenticeship path pays a similar median wage and has 6.1% projected growth.
- Pay difference
- +$7,450 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +6.1%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.
Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.
Related occupations
- Nuclear Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Power Plant Operators
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
Talk to a career coach
A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.
Talk to a career coach