Professional nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems for national laboratories, private industry, and universities that derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation for society. They devise how to use radioactive materials in manufacturing, agriculture, medicine, power generation, and many other ways.Many nuclear engineers design, develop, monitor, and operate nuclear plants used to generate power.

A master’s degree is often required for many of the jobs in this field.

The “Principles and Practice” exam for nuclear engineering is only offered in October of each year.

Government economists expect job growth for nuclear engineers to be as fast as the average for all careers through 2016. There should be enough job openings for the small number of nuclear engineering graduates expected. They’ll find work running nuclear power plants, designing new ones, and researching new sources of nuclear power. Other areas of work include nuclear medicine and waste management.

It should be noted that some schools have closed down their nuclear engineering departments and some nuclear power plants have ceased operations at the end of their licensing terms.  Those currently employed in the field are quick to note that opportunities do and will exist in the future. Madeline Feltus, associate director of technology in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology says, “Right now we only graduate about 200 nuclear engineers a year in the United States. The numbers are dropping precipitously but there are 103 operating nuclear power plants and over half of the engineers out there are over 50 and will retire soon, so there is a future.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average yearly earnings of nuclear engineers in 2006 as $92,040.   A 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that nuclear engineering bachelor’s degree candidates received starting offers averaging $51,182. Master’s degree candidates averaged $58,814.

For more information regarding nuclear engineers you can visit the American Nuclear Society ( http://www.ans.org/ ).

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