What it is
Nuclear engineering harnesses nuclear energy and radiation — designing reactors, power systems, and applications in energy, medicine, and research. It's a specialized, high-paying field with renewed interest amid clean-energy demand.
What you'll study
All engineering builds a rigorous math-and-science core, then specializes:
- Year 1–2Calculus, differential equations, physics, chemistry, intro engineering
- Year 2–3Core engineering science and reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, radiation, and nuclear systems
- Year 3–4Advanced discipline courses, labs, and a capstone design project
- ThroughoutDesign, teamwork, and often co-ops/internships (many programs ABET-accredited)
Concentrations & focus areas
- Reactor EngineeringPower reactors
- Nuclear PowerEnergy systems
- Medical / Health PhysicsRadiation in medicine
- Radiation / ShieldingSafety
- FusionAdvanced energy
- Defense / NavalGovernment
Skills you'll build
Engineers build a powerful, transferable skill set:
- Analytical problem-solvingBreaking down hard problems
- Math & modelingQuantitative rigor
- DesignCreating and testing solutions
- Technical softwareDiscipline-specific tools
- Teamwork & communicationProjects and clients
Careers & job titles
This discipline leads to roles such as:
- Nuclear engineerSystems & safety (~$127,520)
- Reactor engineerPower plants
- Radiation / health physicistMedicine & safety
- Nuclear power rolesUtilities
- Research / national labGovernment
- Naval / defense rolesMilitary
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects the architecture & engineering group to grow faster than average, with about 174,800 openings a year. Nuclear engineering is a specialized field with renewed demand from clean energy, medicine, and defense. Engineering skills are in demand across industry, technology, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Engineering pays well above average. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nuclear engineers had a median of $127,520 (2024) — among the highest engineering wages — versus the all-occupation median of about $50,980. Earnings rise with experience, a graduate degree, and (in many fields) the Professional Engineer (PE) license; senior engineers, specialists, and managers earn well into six figures.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's (BEng/BS) is the entry credential; a master's deepens specialization and a PhD leads research. The PE license matters in many fields.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you enjoy math and science, like designing and building solutions, and want a well-paid, respected profession with strong job security.
Worth knowing: engineering is rigorous, and many roles benefit from the PE license (via the FE exam, experience, and the PE exam). Internships and co-ops strongly boost early careers.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusNuclear energy & radiation
- StudyReactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, radiation, safety
- UsesPower, medicine, defense, research
- OutlookSpecialized (BLS)
- Pay$127,520 median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: