Nuclear Technicians in Virginia
Thinking about a career as a Nuclear Technicians in Virginia? Here’s what the data says. Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.
What do Nuclear Technicians Make in Virginia?
The nuclear technicians working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $106,270 per year (or about $51.09/hour).Earnings range from $71,340 at the 10th percentile to $135,200 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,340 | $34.30 |
| 25th percentile | $86,800 | $41.73 |
| Median (50th) | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| 75th percentile | $124,890 | $60.05 |
| 90th percentile | $135,200 | $65.00 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia compared to the national average — is 2.06, indicating that nuclear technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, nuclear technicians earn a median of $92,140 per year ($44.30/hour), above the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 74,812 nuclear technicians nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 320 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 180 nuclear technicians.
Top Virginia Metros for Nuclear Technicians
These are the Virginia metros with the most nuclear technicians in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 90 | $108,690 |
Top States for Nuclear Technicians Employment
View the states that employ the most nuclear technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 870 |
| South Carolina | 760 |
| North Carolina | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | 330 |
| Virginia | 320 |
| New York | 200 |
| Missouri | 180 |
| Alabama | 170 |
| Texas | 170 |
| Michigan | 160 |
| Washington | 90 |
| Tennessee | 70 |
| Florida | 60 |
Highest-Paying States for Nuclear Technicians
These states pay the most for nuclear technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $121,460 |
| Florida | $118,340 |
| Alabama | $107,680 |
| Virginia | $106,270 |
| New Mexico | $105,350 |
| South Carolina | $105,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $104,650 |
| Michigan | $104,450 |
| North Carolina | $104,240 |
| Illinois | $102,810 |
Skills
Key nuclear technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for nuclear technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, nuclear technicians typically:
- Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
- Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
- Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
- Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
- Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
- Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
- Modify, devise, or maintain nuclear equipment used in operations.
- Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
- Perform testing, maintenance, repair, or upgrading of accelerator systems.
- Warn maintenance workers of radiation hazards and direct workers to vacate hazardous areas.
- Calculate equipment operating factors, such as radiation times, dosages, temperatures, gamma intensities, or pressures, using standard formulas and conversion tables.
- Measure the intensity and identify the types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Linux
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Nuclear & Radiological Technology
- Nuclear Engineering
- Allied Health Professions
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to nuclear technicians include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Nuclear Engineers
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Also Known As
Accelerator Operator, Accelerator Technician, Auxiliary Operator, Cell Support Operator, Electric Systems Operator, Energy Systems Operator, Equipment Operation Instructor, Equipment Operator, Facilities Operator, Gamma Facilities Operator, Gamma Operator, Hot-Cell Technician, Licensed Nuclear Operator, Non Licensed Operator, Non-Licensed Nuclear Equipment Operator (NLO).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-4051.00
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