Nuclear Technician Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nuclear Technicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$99,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $110,240
State Rank
#12 of 14
state estimate

How much does a Nuclear Technician make in California?

A Nuclear Technician working in California earns a median salary of $99,270 per year, or about $47.73 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $110,240 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $58,830 while the top 10% make $115,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $94,470 and $112,860 a year.

Nuclear Technician salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,830$28.28
25th percentile (early career)$94,470$45.42
50th percentile (median)$99,270$47.73
75th percentile (experienced)$112,860$54.26
90th percentile (top earners)$115,630$55.59

How California compares

California ranks 12th out of 14 states and territories for Nuclear Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Florida$135,550
2New York$129,780
3Pennsylvania$124,070
4Texas$124,060
5Massachusetts$113,390

Working as a Nuclear Technician in California

Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Nuclear Technicians in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($99,270) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nuclear Technician make in California?
The median Nuclear Technician salary in California is $99,270 per year, or about $47.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,830 at the entry level to $115,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Nuclear Technicians about 10% less than the national median of $110,240. California ranks 12th out of 14 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Nuclear Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $99,270 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nuclear Technician salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.