by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology covers Nuclear Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering, Knowledge And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineer And Other Professionals Operating Nuclear Facilities And Engaged In Nuclear Applications And Safety Procedures. Includes Instruction In Physics, Nuclear Science, Nuclear Systems, Nuclear Plant And Systems Design, Radiological Safety, Radiological Applications, And Applicable Law And Regulations. Continue reading for the important information every nuclear engineering technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nuclear engineering technology programs.
Across the country, nuclear engineering technology draws strong interest, with 260 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nuclear Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nuclear engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nuclear engineering technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Nuclear Engineering Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nuclear engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a nuclear engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nuclear engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nuclear engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 43 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 214 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to nuclear engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 44.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.1% |
| Some college courses | 7.3% |
| Master’s degree | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nuclear engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying nuclear engineering technology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to nuclear engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nuclear engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | 91,226 | 10.3% |
| Nuclear Technicians | 83,637 | 11.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of nuclear engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $97,846 |
| 4 years | $116,960 |
| 5 years | $132,222 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for nuclear engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nuclear engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Nuclear Monitoring Technicians | $115,968 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nuclear Technicians | $92,140 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 9 different nuclear engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nuclear engineering technology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
