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Nuclear Engineers

Designs and runs systems that use nuclear energy and radiation.

Typical education to startBachelor's degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +0%
Median pay$133,970 a year (2025)
Interest codeIRC Investigative, Realistic, Conventional

Read the full guide

Nuclear engineers design and operate nuclear power plants, develop reactors for ships and space, and use radiation in medicine and industry. Pennsylvania has several nuclear plants, including Limerick near Pottstown and Susquehanna near Berwick.

Open the nuclear engineer guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Calculus · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Physics · Science

    Builds physics, which this job uses.

  • Engineering Design · Career and Technical

    Builds engineering, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Nuclear Engineers on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.