What Is a Nuclear Technician?
Nuclear technicians use scientific and mathematical principles to aid in research and development of nuclear energy and help improve products and processes. About half of the nation's 6,400 nuclear technicians were employed by utilities in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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Job Duties
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Nuclear technician duties include calculating safe radiation exposure times, responding to monitoring alarms, monitoring workers' radiation exposure (and notifying supervisors when necessary), training workers in safety procedures (including protective clothing and equipment), checking equipment for accuracy and decontamination.
Education
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On average, nuclear technicians need two to four years of college, says Education-Portal.com. Courses taken should include those from the sciences, like physics, math, chemistry and radiation.
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Employment Outlook
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According to the BLS, the field of nuclear technicians is projected to grow between 2008 and 2018. In 2009, the average salary was approximately $67,000, according to the O*Net Online website.
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References
- Photo Credit nuclear power station 4 image by Vitezslav Halamka from Fotolia.com
