Nuclear engineers design, develop, and oversee the operation of nuclear equipment and systems. You'll need a bachelor's degree and strong skills in math and physics. The work is technical, in-demand, and offers solid career prospects.
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Nuclear engineers design and develop nuclear equipment and systems used in power generation, medical applications, and research. You'll evaluate information to ensure compliance with safety standards, analyze complex data, and make decisions about system performance. Much of your work happens at a computer, where you model systems and solve engineering problems. You'll communicate findings to supervisors and colleagues, gather technical information from multiple sources, and apply deep knowledge of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to real-world challenges.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Nuclear Engineers earn a median of $133,970 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 800 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related engineering field. During your studies, you'll develop expertise in engineering technology, physics, and mathematics while building critical thinking and analytical skills. The preparation is considerable, requiring strong foundational knowledge before you begin. After earning your degree, you can enter roles as a junior engineer and advance as you gain experience. Some engineers pursue additional credentials or specializations later in their careers.
Most nuclear engineers start with a bachelor's degree, though the path can vary based on your background and goals. If you're exploring whether this fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the nuclear engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that works for you.
Many nuclear engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to investigative work that uses science and logic. You enjoy analyzing complex problems, thinking critically about data, and communicating technical ideas clearly to others.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).