Nuclear Technician Salary in 2026
How Much Do Nuclear Technicians Make?
Nuclear Technicians earn a median annual salary of $104,240 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $64,370 at the 10th percentile to $126,890 at the 90th percentile — a range of $62,520. The highest-paying state is New York at $121,460.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,370 |
| 25th percentile | $83,330 |
| Median (50th) | $104,240 |
| 75th percentile | $113,710 |
| 90th percentile | $126,890 |
Nuclear Technician Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $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 |
| Washington | $100,080 |
| Texas | $97,160 |
| Missouri | $96,930 |
| Tennessee | $94,620 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Nuclear Technicians
Nuclear Technician Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$64,370 – $83,330 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$104,240 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$113,710 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $126,890+ |
How to Earn More as a Nuclear Technician
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Nuclear Technicians in New York earn $121,460 — $17,220 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($113,710) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Nuclear Technician Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Technicianthis career | $104,240 |
| Geothermal Production Manager | $121,440 |
| Biomass Power Plant Manager | $121,440 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,860 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $127,520 |
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SOC: 19-4051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.