Nuclear engineers

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Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. They design, develop, monitor and operate nuclear plants used to generate power.

They may work on the nuclear fuel cycle — the production, handling and use of nuclear fuel and the safe disposal of waste produced by nuclear energy — or on fusion energy. Some specialize in the development of nuclear power sources for spacecraft; others find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials, such as equipment to diagnose and treat medical problems.

Job outlook

Good opportunities exist for nuclear engineers because the small number of nuclear engineering graduates is likely to be in rough balance with the number of job openings. Projected job growth will generate few openings; consequently, most openings will result from the need to replace nuclear engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

Little or no change in employment of nuclear engineers is expected through 2010. Because of public concerns over the cost and safety of nuclear power, no commercial nuclear power plants are under construction in the United States. Nevertheless, nuclear engineers will be needed to operate existing plants. In addition, nuclear engineers will be needed to work in defense-related areas, to develop nuclear medical technology and to improve and enforce waste management and safety standards.

Earnings

Nuclear engineers held about 14,000 jobs in 2000. About 58% were in utilities, 26% in engineering consulting firms and 14% in the federal government. More than half of all federally employed nuclear engineers were civilian employees of the Navy, and most of the rest worked for the Department of Energy. Most nonfederally employed nuclear engineers worked for public utilities or engineering consulting companies. Some worked for defense manufacturers or manufacturers of nuclear power equipment.

Median annual earnings of nuclear engineers were $79,360 in 2000. In 2000, the median annual earnings of nuclear engineers in electric services were $77,890. In the federal government, nuclear engineers in supervisory, non-supervisory and management positions earned an average of $71,700 a year in 2001.

According to a 2001 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree candidates in nuclear engineering received starting offers averaging $49,609 a year and master's degree candidates, on average, were offered $56,299.

Related links

For more information about nuclear engineers :

American Nuclear Society, 555 North Kensington Ave., LaGrange Park, IL 60525.

Adapted from the Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.