Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities, such as operating or maintaining nuclear testing equipment. They monitor radiation, collect samples and keep systems within safety limits. AI and software can help watch sensor data. Hands-on safety work and accountability under strict rules stay with people.
The short answer: very low exposure; the bigger factor is the energy market, not AI. The ILO's 2025 index rates chemical and physical science technicians, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.26. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 900 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed nuclear technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Science Technicians | Not exposed | 0.26 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for nuclear technicians, not a score for the job title itself.
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear technicians | Grow 1% | About 900 |
The BLS expects demand to be limited as fewer nuclear power plants are constructed and as renewable energy production increases. It says technicians will still be needed to help maintain existing plants. Most openings will come from replacing workers who change jobs or retire. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Spotting unusual patterns in sensor and radiation monitoring data.
- Summarizing logs, procedures and maintenance histories.
- Drafting routine reports for a technician to check.
What stays with nuclear technicians
- Radiation safety: measuring, sampling and protecting workers on site.
- Equipment work: operating, testing and maintaining instruments.
- Following procedure: strict, documented steps under regulatory oversight.
- Checking AI help: generated summaries and figures can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Most work centers on keeping existing plants running safely. Digital monitoring keeps expanding, and technicians who can read and question that data are useful. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace power plant operators?, will AI replace chemical technicians? and will AI replace nuclear medicine technologists?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for nuclear technicians at $110,240 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace nuclear technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 1 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 900 openings a year.
How exposed are nuclear technicians to AI?
The ILO rates chemical and physical science technicians, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.26.
Why is growth slow?
The BLS says fewer nuclear plants are being built and renewable energy production is increasing.
Will there still be work?
Yes. The BLS says technicians will still be needed to help maintain existing nuclear power plants.