Nuclear Engineer Salary Overview
The Nuclear Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $120,760. Compensation typically ranges from $77,200 for entry-level positions to $177,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Nuclear Engineer in the US earns between $77,200 and $177,600 per year, with a median of $120,760.
Nuclear Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level nuclear engineers earn around $78,494, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $163,026 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $78,494 | $38/hr | $60,169 |
| Mid | $120,760 | $58/hr | $85,924 |
| Senior | $154,573 | $74/hr | $105,891 |
| Lead | $173,894 | $84/hr | $117,300 |
Nuclear Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Nuclear Engineer in each US state.
Pay for nuclear engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,873 | $9,238 | $87,419 | 27.6% |
| Alaska | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| Arizona | $120,760 | $18,229 | $2,654 | $9,238 | $90,638 | 24.9% |
| Arkansas | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,087 | $9,238 | $88,205 | 27.0% |
| California | $120,760 | $18,229 | $7,368 | $9,238 | $85,924 | 28.8% |
| Colorado | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,653 | $9,238 | $88,639 | 26.6% |
| Connecticut | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,996 | $9,238 | $87,297 | 27.7% |
| Delaware | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,739 | $9,238 | $86,553 | 28.3% |
| District of Columbia | $120,760 | $18,229 | $7,424 | $9,238 | $85,869 | 28.9% |
| Florida | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| Georgia | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,971 | $9,238 | $87,322 | 27.7% |
| Hawaii | $120,760 | $18,229 | $9,035 | $9,238 | $84,258 | 30.2% |
| Idaho | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,157 | $9,238 | $87,135 | 27.8% |
| Illinois | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,840 | $9,238 | $87,452 | 27.6% |
| Indiana | $120,760 | $18,229 | $3,683 | $9,238 | $89,609 | 25.8% |
| Iowa | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,589 | $9,238 | $88,704 | 26.5% |
| Kansas | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,226 | $9,238 | $87,066 | 27.9% |
| Kentucky | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,704 | $9,238 | $88,588 | 26.6% |
| Louisiana | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,551 | $9,238 | $88,741 | 26.5% |
| Maine | $120,760 | $18,229 | $7,097 | $9,238 | $86,196 | 28.6% |
| Maryland | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,608 | $9,238 | $87,684 | 27.4% |
| Massachusetts | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,818 | $9,238 | $87,474 | 27.6% |
| Michigan | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,894 | $9,238 | $88,398 | 26.8% |
| Minnesota | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,783 | $9,238 | $86,509 | 28.4% |
| Mississippi | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,098 | $9,238 | $88,195 | 27.0% |
| Missouri | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,925 | $9,238 | $88,367 | 26.8% |
| Montana | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,017 | $9,238 | $87,275 | 27.7% |
| Nebraska | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,532 | $9,238 | $87,761 | 27.3% |
| Nevada | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| New Hampshire | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| New Jersey | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,566 | $9,238 | $87,726 | 27.4% |
| New Mexico | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,922 | $9,238 | $88,370 | 26.8% |
| New York | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,511 | $9,238 | $86,781 | 28.1% |
| North Carolina | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,860 | $9,238 | $88,432 | 26.8% |
| North Dakota | $120,760 | $18,229 | $2,070 | $9,238 | $91,222 | 24.5% |
| Ohio | $120,760 | $18,229 | $2,757 | $9,238 | $90,536 | 25.0% |
| Oklahoma | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,246 | $9,238 | $88,046 | 27.1% |
| Oregon | $120,760 | $18,229 | $10,041 | $9,238 | $83,251 | 31.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $120,760 | $18,229 | $3,707 | $9,238 | $89,585 | 25.8% |
| Rhode Island | $120,760 | $18,229 | $4,500 | $9,238 | $88,792 | 26.5% |
| South Carolina | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,101 | $9,238 | $87,191 | 27.8% |
| South Dakota | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| Tennessee | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| Texas | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| Utah | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,615 | $9,238 | $87,677 | 27.4% |
| Vermont | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,066 | $9,238 | $87,226 | 27.8% |
| Virginia | $120,760 | $18,229 | $6,427 | $9,238 | $86,865 | 28.1% |
| Washington | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
| West Virginia | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,294 | $9,238 | $87,998 | 27.1% |
| Wisconsin | $120,760 | $18,229 | $5,312 | $9,238 | $87,980 | 27.1% |
| Wyoming | $120,760 | $18,229 | $0 | $9,238 | $93,292 | 22.7% |
Top Cities for Nuclear Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for nuclear engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Aiken, SC | $132,836 |
| Knoxville, TN | $132,836 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $132,836 |
| Washington, DC | $132,836 |
| Hartford, CT | $132,836 |
Calculate Nuclear Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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How to Become a Nuclear Engineer
Becoming a nuclear engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Nuclear Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of nuclear engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Nuclear Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for nuclear engineers in the US is $120,760, with a typical range from $77,200 to $177,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for nuclear engineers include SC, TN, PA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level nuclear engineers can expect to earn around $78,494 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a nuclear engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for nuclear engineers is approximately $58.06, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.