Last year was marked by a general air of excitement across the nuclear sector. From conference halls to board rooms, momentum manifested in numerous new project announcements, robust federal support, and high-aiming ambitions.

This mood was captured by the 2025 ANS State of the Nuclear Workforce survey, which was conducted from October 1–14. In isolation, the results of this year’s survey are promising; but when compared with the 2024 survey, the story is even clearer, with optimism up almost across the board and renewed attention in the industry’s most critical sectors.