Also called: Navy MMN, Nuke
Enlisted sailor who operates and maintains the steam and reactor systems on nuclear submarines and carriers.
Nukes stand watch in the engine room, monitor reactor chemistry, and repair pumps and valves. Training is famously tough and math-heavy. Afterward, they're hired by nuclear power plants at $100k+.
RMC (base pay + housing/food allowances + tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-7 ranks, 2026 estimate, plus the special-duty, hazardous-duty, or skill pays this specialty usually earns. Enlistment/reenlistment bonuses for this field can be $10k-$50k+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 2 years after high school. High school diploma, top ASVAB scores, then ~2 years of Nuclear Field training; enlistment bonuses up to $40k+. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.
Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Nuclear Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing about average. Military specialties are not in BLS projections. The services recruit for this job every year and openings track force size and retention rather than market growth.
Low risk for 10 years. Monitoring is automated, but repairing pumps and valves near a reactor stays hands-on.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Algebra II.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.