Nuclear Engineer Salary
Nuclear Engineers earn a median $133,970 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
U.S. median
$133,970
$64.41 per hour
Range
$92,960 – $196,290
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
15,280
across the U.S.
Nuclear Engineer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$102,834
per year · effective tax rate 23.2%
$8,570Monthly
$4,285Twice a month
$3,955Every 2 weeks
$49.44Hourly
- 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 |
Best cities for nuclear engineers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $180,360 | $122,180 | $112,211 | 840 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $134,510 | $96,690 | $93,335 | 710 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach, VA | $110,510 | $81,034 | $82,737 | 1,260 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Washington, DC — $180,360
- Chicago, IL — $134,510
- Virginia Beach, VA — $110,510
Nuclear Engineer salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $131,718 | $128,960 – $207,480 | 230 |
| California | $172,400 | $115,057 | $109,990 – $207,740 | 1,070 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 | $116,845 | $126,780 – $239,200+ | 500 |
| Maryland | $157,960 | $111,894 | $103,990 – $207,480 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | $103,825 | $67,750 – $174,710 | 210 |
| New York | $141,200 | $100,486 | $114,610 – $204,940 | 150 |
| Florida | $135,400 | $103,812 | $90,000 – $188,720 | 120 |
| Illinois | $134,510 | $96,690 | $102,890 – $171,060 | 1,040 |
| Idaho | $133,970 | $96,842 | $104,070 – $176,840 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 | $98,252 | $83,250 – $167,110 | 340 |
| Alabama | $132,570 | $95,514 | $97,950 – $161,290 | 290 |
| Georgia | $132,440 | $95,538 | $81,800 – $173,100 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $131,850 | $96,633 | $96,300 – $166,200 | 460 |
| Michigan | $129,940 | $94,808 | $80,570 – $159,030 | 330 |
| Washington | $129,480 | $99,766 | $83,100 – $200,930 | 1,380 |
| Virginia | $128,890 | $92,765 | $81,480 – $192,350 | — |
| Texas | $128,340 | $98,986 | $83,250 – $170,600 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $126,570 | $91,339 | $83,970 – $159,740 | 1,440 |
| Maine | $123,780 | $88,515 | $78,440 – $147,200 | 420 |
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. After taxes and local prices, Washington, DC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many nuclear engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 15,280 people work as nuclear engineers nationwide.