Lucrative Trades in Nuclear Power: Diving, Masonry, Pipefitting & HVAC
Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, Danielle highlights four in-demand skilled trades in the nuclear energy industry that require months to years of training instead of a doctorate. For each trade, we cover:
Commercial Diving
Specialized HAZMAT diving in irradiated environments
Historical roots, real-world challenges, and a “day in the life”
Training pathways, costs, salary ranges, and union vs. non-union options
Concrete Masonry
Building and finishing ultra-low-permeability containment structures
Apprenticeships vs. trade-school certificates
Typical project durations, pay, and professional bodies
Pipefitting
Installing high-precision coolant, steam, and service piping
NCCER’s 16-module curriculum and UA apprenticeships
Outage vs. new-build work, salary insights, and key associations
HVAC
Maintaining clean-room and safety-critical climate systems
3–5 year apprenticeships, technical diplomas, and NATE/EPA certifications
Day-to-day tasks, pay scale, and union/open-shop routes
RESOURCES
Divers Institute of Technology (World Nuclear Diving module):
https://diversinstitute.edu/world-nuclear-diving/Pro Diver School: https://prodivertc.com
Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI): https://www.adc-int.org/
Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC):https://www.divercertification.com/more-info/careers-in-diving/
American Concrete Institute (ACI): https://www.concrete.org/
International Masonry Institute (IMI): https://www.imiweb.org/
NCCER Pipefitting Craft Catalog: https://www.nccer.org/craft-catalog/pipefitting/
United Association (UA): https://ua.org/pipefitters/
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE): https://www.aspe.org/
EPA Section 608 Certification: https://www.epa.gov/section608
North American Technician Excellence (NATE): https://www.natex.org/
HVAC Engineer Job Description: https://altea-energy.com/sheets/hvac-engineer-nuclear-energy-jobs/
