Career Overview
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 Known As
- Licensed Nuclear Operator
- Nuclear Auxiliary Operator
- Nuclear Equipment Operator (NEO)
- Operations Technician
Alternate Job Titles
- Accelerator Operator
- Accelerator Technician
- Auxiliary Operator
- Cell Support Operator
- Electric Systems Operator
- Energy Systems Operator
- Equipment Operation Instructor
- Equipment Operator
- Facilities Operator
- Gamma Facilities Operator
- Gamma Operator
- Hot-Cell Technician
- Licensed Nuclear Operator
- Non Licensed Operator
- Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Modify, devise, or maintain nuclear equipment used in operations.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Perceptual Speed
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Recognition
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Air compressors
- Air purifying respirators
- Airline respirators
- Area gamma monitors
- Atmosphere supplying respirators
- Condensate demineralizers
- Contamination probes
- Control rod drives
- Cryostats
- Digital ratemeters
- Digital signal analyzers
- Digital spectrum analyzers
- Eddy current testing equipment
- Emergency diesel generators
- Fuel handling systems
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $64,370 |
| Median | $104,240 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $126,890 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 5,990
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $122,610
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $104,240
Power Plant Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $99,670
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $75,190
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $99,670
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.