Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-4051.02

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

US jobs
6,470 (SOC 19-4051 group, "Nuclear Technicians")
Median wage
$110,240 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of nuclear monitoring technicians?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 19-4051 group).

  • 14%Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipmentNot measured
  • 13%Monitor operations to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 11%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standardsNot measured
  • 5%Inspect facilities or equipmentNot measured
  • 5%Test performance of equipment or systemsNot measured
  • 5%Maintain tools or equipmentNot measured
  • 5%Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipmentNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
  • Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
  • Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
  • Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
  • Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
  • Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
  • Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.
  • Collect samples of air, water, gases, or solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.
  • Analyze samples, such as air or water samples, for contaminants or other elements.
  • Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
  • Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.
  • Prepare reports describing contamination tests, material or equipment decontaminated, or methods used in decontamination processes.
Other job titles for this occupation (23)

Health Physics Technician (HP Tech) · Nuclear Chemistry Technician · Radiation Control Technician (Radcon Technician) · Radiation Protection Specialist (RP Specialist) · Radiation Protection Technician (RPT) · Radiation Technician · Radiochemical Technician · Cathodic Protection Technician · Chemical Radiation Technician · Decontaminator · Instrumentation Control Specialist · Laboratory Control Specialist · Metallographic Technician · Nuclear Control Technician · Nuclear Technician · Nuclear Worker Technician · Radiation Control Specialist · Radiation Monitor · Radiation Protection Monitor · Radiation Safety Officer · Radiation Safety Specialist · Radiation Safety Technician (Radiation Safety Tech) · Systems Protection Technician