Nuclear Engineer

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Work Tasks

• Find ways to use nuclear energy; plan and design nuclear power plants, reactor cores, radiation shielding, and other control units
• Test and maintain nuclear power plants and make sure safety rules are followed
• Use computers to produce and analyze test systems
• May make nuclear weapons, find new treatments for illness, get rid of nuclear waste, or make power sources for spacecraft
• Work for the federal government, public utilities, medical facilities, engineering companies, research and testing services, defense and nuclear power equipment producers, and the military
• Work with materials, tools, and equipment to aid in the design, development, testing, operation, and maintenance of all kinds of nuclear equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $97,500 average per year ($47.00 per hour)
• A small occupation (18,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in nuclear engineering
• Certification/Licensing: Registration may be needed, which requires a degree, 4 years experience, and passing 2 tests.