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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

How to become

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

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

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

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:

What it takes

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:

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

What you’ll do

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

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

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

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £19,198.40 a year Annually
  • Location: ORION WAY, ORION BUSINESS PARK, NORTH SHIELDS

Engineering Apprentice

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Cargo, Carlisle
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

Level 3 NVQ Diploma Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical)

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 03 November 2025
  • Location: Rainham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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