SOC 172161

Nuclear Engineers

Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

National Median

$127,520

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$127,520

Entry Level (10th pct)

$88,290

Experienced (90th pct)

$187,430

Total Employed

14,740

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$88,290 - $103,010
Mid Career2-8 years experience$103,010 - $157,600
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$157,600 - $187,430

Highest Paying Locations for Nuclear Engineers

Nuclear Engineers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
District of Columbia$189,800240
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$189,770300
Knoxville, TN$174,380200
California$167,660870
New York$159,290160
Kennewick-Richland, WA$150,950220
Maryland$150,340140
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$150,260150
Minnesota$150,260190
Nebraska$149,280N/A
Alabama$144,410270
Albuquerque, NM$142,640N/A
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$141,520150
Massachusetts$141,520120
New Mexico$140,0701,160
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$140,070N/A
Chattanooga, TN-GA$138,050110
Michigan$137,890180
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$136,590240
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$136,22030
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$135,870N/A
Raleigh-Cary, NC$135,040100
Pittsburgh, PA$134,580210
Pennsylvania$134,580480
Monroe, MI$131,86060
Idaho Falls, ID$130,210N/A
Idaho$130,210720
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$130,160750
Illinois$130,160950
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$129,82060
Georgia$129,820140
Lynchburg, VA$129,69080
Florida$129,230140
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$128,150260
North Carolina$128,150520
Cleveland, OH$127,860N/A
Missouri$126,010130
Washington$125,1301,370
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$124,54050
Wilmington, NC$123,20080
Ohio$122,820120
Maine$120,700350
Columbia, SC$117,84080
Charleston-North Charleston, SC$111,580140
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$110,060470
Virginia$108,7401,300
South Carolina$107,8801,280
Texas$100,0001,470
Wisconsin$93,080N/A
Madison, WI$90,540N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Nuclear Engineers?
The national median annual salary for Nuclear Engineers is $127,520, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Nuclear Engineerss earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Nuclear Engineerss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $189,800.
How much can an experienced Nuclear Engineers make?
Top-earning Nuclear Engineerss (90th percentile) make $187,430 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.