Nuclear technician

Alternative titles for this job include Nuclear operating technician, radiation protection technician

Nuclear technicians are involved in the safety and day-to-day running of nuclear power stations.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£43,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 week

You could work

days / nights / weekends on shifts

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• nuclear engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You can do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to become a nuclear technician. 

Courses include:

• physics and maths
• mechanical or electrical engineering
• nuclear engineering and science
• engineering maintenance

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

To become a nuclear technician, you could apply for a place on a Nuclear Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You can also start a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship then get further training on the job to work in nuclear facilities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

More Information

Career tips

You can find employers in each part of the country on the Nuclear Industry Association jobs map.

Further information

You can get details about working in the the nuclear industry through:

• Destination Nuclear
• Not Just Labcoats
• UK Atomic Energy Authority

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of public safety and security
• observation and recording skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• analytical thinking skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass security checks

You'll usually need a driving licence to get to work outside of public transport hours.

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a nuclear technician, you could:

• install and test new equipment and control systems
• monitor radiation levels at power plants
• find and fix faults
• run regular inspections and safety checks
• work with engineers to produce technical reports for managers
• remove equipment from power stations that have shut down

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a nuclear technician to be a green job, you could:

• install more energy efficient equipment in power plants
• work to reduce levels of waste from reactors
• improve ways to clean up the sites of decommissioned power stations

Working environment

You could work at a power station, at a research facility or in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a:

• maintenance shift supervisor
• radiation safety adviser
• nuclear engineer

You could also use your skills to work in other engineering or power industries.

Alternatively, you might move into nuclear medicine, working with radiological instruments, for instance in hospitals, maintaining radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment.

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

• Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
• Location: New Line, The Sidings, Bacup

Multi-skilled Engineering Apprentice

• Wage: £16,770 a year Annually
• Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

ECITB L3 Cert in Nuclear Engineering & Science (19+)

• Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
• Start date: 20 October 2025
• Location: Bridgwater

T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

• Provider: CIRENCESTER COLLEGE
• Start date: 04 September 2025
• Location: Cirencester

Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Not what you're looking for?

Related careers

• Nuclear engineer
• Engineering maintenance technician
• Renewable energy engineer
• Electricity generation worker
• Health and safety adviser

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