Plant Vogtle Unit 3—the first advanced reactor technology to come online in the United States—started operations this summer in Waynesboro, Georgia, and this accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless efforts of many.
At peak construction, Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 created 9,000 jobs. And once Unit 4 at Plant Vogtle is online, both units will support hundreds of good-paying, long-term jobs—encouraging community investment and economic development across the state.
Nuclear energy’s economic impact isn’t just limited to the Peach State. According to the Department of Energy (DOE)’s latest survey on domestic energy jobs, nuclear power creates tens of thousands of jobs across the country, fueling our local economies with millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues. That’s nuclear-powered progress worth celebrating.
For those looking for a well-paying career that makes a difference, there is no better time to join the movement for reliable, clean nuclear power.
A Growing Industry
According to the DOE, in 2022, the nuclear energy industry grew by almost two and a half percent, creating jobs from coast to coast. With more advanced nuclear technologies coming online within the next decade, and many of our nation’s existing nuclear power plants set to continue operations for decades to come, these opportunities are only projected to increase in the future.
With a salary 50 percent higher on average than those of other electricity generation sources, nuclear energy jobs offer the financial stability employees can count on during their careers.
Diversity of Jobs and People
When people think of a career in nuclear energy, the first image that comes to mind is that of a nuclear engineer. These jobs are critical, but with a typical nuclear power plant employing between 500-800 workers, many different jobs are needed to successfully operate a plant.
From skilled trades such as welding, pipefitting and carpentry, to roles in cybersecurity and policy analysis, a nuclear power plant requires a variety of jobs and skillsets to meet big picture goals. The nuclear energy industry also offers pathways for workers to enter the pipeline through apprenticeships and labor partnerships, as the DOE report finds that the industry has the highest unionization rate across energy sources.
In addition to a diversity of job types, according to the DOE, the nuclear power industry is also more gender-diverse and has a higher percentage of non-white workers than the overall energy workforce.
Jobs Beyond Electricity
And as a wide variety of industries recognize nuclear’s ability to reduce or erase their carbon footprints, the nuclear industry offers significant opportunities for innovation and growth beyond electricity. From manufacturing to agriculture to space, nuclear energy has the potential to decarbonize entire economies – while creating jobs in the process.
These applications and new technologies are working to bring new talent to the industry. Georgia Tech reported a 40% increase in freshman applications for its nuclear engineering program. Steven Biegalski, chair of the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics Program at Georgia Institute of Technology, told The Washington Times, “the views of our 17-year-old and 18-year-old high school seniors are significantly changing to have a positive view of nuclear,” Biegalski said. “They see nuclear as being a clean energy source, vital to our future. They see a lot of other nuclear technologies, including nuclear medicine, as being very beneficial to society. And these all are adding together to have a sort of resurgence that we’re seeing here directly.”
John Kotek, NEI’s Senior Vice President of Policy Development and Public Affairs, recently shared with the Financial Times that “there is a revival in the fortunes of nuclear energy driven by what I see as a long overdue recognition of the vital role that nuclear energy plays in a decarbonized economy.” That revival requires a skilled nuclear energy workforce ready to support both the existing fleet and the next generation of nuclear technology.
Interested in joining the revival? To learn more about careers in nuclear energy and in related trades, visit the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD)’s Careers in Nuclear page. You can also sign up for Nuclear Matters to learn about getting involved in bolstering the nuclear talent pipeline at the local and state levels.
