Nuclear monitoring technicians watch over radiation levels and safety systems at nuclear facilities. You document readings, communicate findings to supervisors, and evaluate data against safety standards. The work requires an associate degree and medium preparation, and it's critical to public safety.
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Nuclear monitoring technicians track radiation levels and monitor equipment at nuclear power plants and research facilities. You record data, evaluate information to ensure compliance with safety standards, and communicate findings to supervisors and colleagues. Your work involves identifying objects, actions, and events that could signal problems. You stay alert to processes and materials around you, catching issues early. This is hands-on technical work that directly protects workers and the public.
Core work activities
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Nuclear Monitoring Technicians earn a median of $110,240 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 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 700 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start with an associate degree program that covers physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computers. Job Zone 3 preparation means you'll need moderate training and experience. During your education, you'll build skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and reading comprehension. Many programs include hands-on lab work and safety training. After completing your degree, you'll be ready to apply for entry-level positions at nuclear facilities, where employers often provide additional on-the-job training specific to their operations.
Most paths to this career start with an associate degree, so Pathly can map the nuclear monitoring technician path that fits you to map out program options, costs, and timelines with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a nuclear monitoring technician, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to realistic work: hands-on, technical, and focused on measurable outcomes. You think critically, listen carefully, and stay detail-oriented under responsibility.
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.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
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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).