Nuclear engineer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level nuclear engineer earnings begin at:

$90.35 per hour

$187,930 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level nuclear engineer earnings begin at:

$63.94 per hour

$132,990 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level nuclear engineer earnings begin at:

$31.39 per hour

$65,290 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level nuclear engineer earnings begin at:

$20.54 per hour

$42,730 per year

10th percentile

Starting level nuclear engineer earnings begin at:

$14.22 per hour

$29,570 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Nuclear engineer salary by state

State Name Average Salary
South Carolina $99,520
Mississippi $98,270
Virginia $83,070
Texas $65,290
New Mexico $136,940
California $136,000
New Hampshire $131,140
Maryland $130,660
Idaho $128,270
Georgia $126,610
Wisconsin $124,120
Tennessee $120,570
Illinois $118,110
Pennsylvania $115,760
North Carolina $115,590
Connecticut $112,010
New York $112,000
Kansas $109,440
Louisiana $107,020
Alabama $105,290
Nebraska $104,750
Missouri $102,450
Florida $102,330
Michigan $101,760
New Jersey $100,930
Washington $100,240

How much does a Nuclear Engineer earn?

James Madison, President of CoolHandNuke.com, a job site for nuclear professionals, says several factors help nuclear engineer salaries - the high caliber of nuclear engineering graduates, the sensitive nature of their work, and a decreasing number of people entering the field.

James Madison predicts an upswing in the need for nuclear engineers that could mean better salaries in the future. "Over the course of the next 10 plus years, these engineers will start being paid very, very well," he said. "And the benefits packages are already the best of any industry."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nuclear engineers working for independent engineering agencies (such as scientific and consulting services and research and development) tended to earn the most.

How do nuclear engineer salaries compare to similar careers?

Nuclear engineers earn 9% more than similar careers in Texas. On average, they make less than biomedical engineers but more than geodesists.

Career Median Salary
Biomedical engineer salary $95K
Naval architect salary $90K
Marine engineer salary $90K
Computer systems engineer salary $88K
Software quality assurance engineer salary $88K
Nuclear engineer salary $65K
Ship engineer salary $69K
Industrial engineering technician salary $66K
Locomotive engineer salary $60K
Geodesist salary $55K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)