Nuclear Engineer Salary
Nuclear Engineers earn a median $133,970 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What nuclear engineers do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.4% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of nuclear engineers is projected to grow 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Nuclear Engineer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,887
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,306
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,943
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$102,834
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,960 | $44.69 | $74,227 |
| 25th percentile | $108,690 | $52.25 | $85,293 |
| Median (50th) | $133,970 | $64.41 | $102,834 |
| 75th percentile | $163,630 | $78.67 | $123,107 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,290 | $94.37 | $146,161 |
Nuclear Engineer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | +2.8% | $131,718 | $128,960 – $207,480 | 230 |
| California | $172,400 | +2.8% | $115,057 | $109,990 – $207,740 | 1,070 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 | +17.3% | $116,845 | $126,780 – $239,200+ | 500 |
| Maryland | $157,960 | +5.1% | $111,894 | $103,990 – $207,480 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | +3.0% | $103,825 | $67,750 – $174,710 | 210 |
| New York | $141,200 | −11.4% | $100,486 | $114,610 – $204,940 | 150 |
| Florida | $135,400 | +4.8% | $103,812 | $90,000 – $188,720 | 120 |
| Illinois | $134,510 | +3.3% | $96,690 | $102,890 – $171,060 | 1,040 |
| Idaho | $133,970 | +2.9% | $96,842 | $104,070 – $176,840 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 | −1.0% | $98,252 | $83,250 – $167,110 | 340 |
| Alabama | $132,570 | −8.2% | $95,514 | $97,950 – $161,290 | 290 |
| Georgia | $132,440 | +2.0% | $95,538 | $81,800 – $173,100 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $131,850 | +2.9% | $96,633 | $96,300 – $166,200 | 460 |
| Michigan | $129,940 | −5.8% | $94,808 | $80,570 – $159,030 | 330 |
| Washington | $129,480 | +3.5% | $99,766 | $83,100 – $200,930 | 1,380 |
| Virginia | $128,890 | +18.5% | $92,765 | $81,480 – $192,350 | — |
| Texas | $128,340 | +28.3% | $98,986 | $83,250 – $170,600 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $126,570 | +17.3% | $91,339 | $83,970 – $159,740 | 1,440 |
| Maine | $123,780 | +2.6% | $88,515 | $78,440 – $147,200 | 420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,220 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Petroleum Engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| Engineers, All Other | $122,930 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree | +9.9% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,160 | Bachelor's degree | +5.4% |
| Materials Engineer | $112,860 | Bachelor's degree | +7.5% |
| Marine Engineer and Naval Architect | $112,230 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
| Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 | Bachelor's degree | +7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make?
The national median salary for nuclear engineers is $133,970 a year ($64.41 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,960 and the top 10% earn over $196,290. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays nuclear engineers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $195,190.
How many nuclear engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 15,280 people work as nuclear engineers nationwide.