Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instrumentations, and the system to create electrical energy from nuclear energy and radiation.

They design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear plants to generate electrical power. They work in many different capacities include the nuclear fuel cycle—the production, handling, and use of nuclear fuel, and the the safe disposal and storage of nuclear waste. They also work on  the development of fusion energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear power for naval vessels or spacecraft; others work on the industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials.

Currently there are about 15,000 nuclear engineers in the United States today. Depending upon weather the government backs nuclear energy, that number could could grow at a moderate rate or accelerate at much faster pace if the country turns to nuclear energy to nuclear energy to stave off it’s dependence upon foreign oil. In the worst case scenario. The number of nuclear engineers needed over the next decade will grow about as fast as the need for all other industries. Nuclear engineers earn an median amount of $90,220 per year. The highest 10% of engineers earn over $124,000 and the lowest 10% earn just over $65,220. Education does pay off. Those nuclear engineers who hold a bachelor’s degree earn about $56,587 or a or a master’s degree, $59,167

Most job growth for nuclear engineers is expected to be for research and development or for engineering services. While no commercial nuclear plants have been built in the United States for decades, nuclear engineers are needed to operate existing plants. Defense-related areas is another sector in need of nuclear engineers.

Overall, nuclear engineers should expect good employment opportunities because the small number of nuclear engineering graduates is likely to be in rough balance with the number of job openings.

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