What Does it Take to Be a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician?
Occupation Description Operate equipment used for the release, control, or utilization of nuclear energy to assist scientists in laboratory or production activities.
Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician Responsibilities
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
- Collect air, water, gas or solid samples for testing to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
- Warn maintenance workers of radiation hazards and direct workers to vacate hazardous areas.
- Decontaminate objects by cleaning them using soap or solvents or by abrading using brushes, buffing machines, or sandblasting machines.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Set control panel switches to route electric power from sources and direct particle beams through injector units.
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What Every Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician Should Know
When polled, Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician Job Titles
- Nuclear Equipment Operator (NEO)
- Electric Systems Operator
- Hot-Cell Technician
- Nuclear Station Operator
- Test and Research Reactor Operator
Job Outlook for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians
There were about 6,900 jobs for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician. The BLS estimates 800 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician are Connecticut, Washington, and Missouri. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Virginia, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician Make?
The salary for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians ranges between about $49,820 and $114,670 a year.

Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians who work in California, New York, or Pennsylvania, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $95,420 |
Connecticut | $78,300 |
Florida | $88,550 |
Idaho | $73,160 |
Illinois | $84,810 |
Louisiana | $61,080 |
Mississippi | $79,890 |
New York | $95,940 |
North Carolina | $86,300 |
Ohio | $73,210 |
Pennsylvania | $93,380 |
South Carolina | $69,130 |
Tennessee | $86,030 |
Texas | $85,990 |
Virginia | $61,010 |
What Tools & Technology do Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Structured query language SQL
- Database software
- Linux
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- VMware
- Microsoft operating system
- Data logging software
- VMWare ESX Server
How to Become a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician
Learn what Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician?

Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians Sector

Below are examples of industries where Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Nuclear Equipment Operation Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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