SOC 17-2161
Nuclear Engineers
Risk Score
⚠️35/100
Moderate
US Employment
👥14,740
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$128K
$88K – $187K
Projected Growth
📈-1.1%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖81/100
High exposure
💡 Nuclear Engineers face a risk score of 35/100 — 9 points below the national average of 44. With 81/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite weak projected growth. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $128K ($81K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 35/100, Nuclear Engineers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-optimized manufacturing process design are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 14,740 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in cross-disciplinary collaboration on complex projects and safety-critical judgment in design review to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Nuclear Engineers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
AI-optimized manufacturing process design
AI-powered research and literature review tools
AI-generated written content replacing manual drafting
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Cross-disciplinary collaboration on complex projects
Safety-critical judgment in design review
On-site problem-solving in variable physical conditions
Novel engineering design for unprecedented challenges
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 80% |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 29 | $128K | 72% |
| Political Scientists | 25 | $139K | 65% |