Nuclear Engineer Salary in Chicago, IL
Nuclear Engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $134,510 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $96,690 take-home, or $8,058 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nuclear engineer salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,016
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,340
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,950
- Illinois income tax$6,513
- Take-home pay$96,690
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Nuclear Engineer pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,920 | $50.92 | $78,246 | $6,521 |
| 25th percentile | $108,690 | $52.25 | $80,058 | $6,672 |
| Median (50th) | $134,510 | $64.67 | $96,690 | $8,058 |
| 75th percentile | $164,750 | $79.21 | $115,862 | $9,655 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $190,800 | $91.73 | $132,769 | $11,064 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $134,510 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nuclear engineer's $96,690 take-home pay has the buying power of $93,335 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.6× the national concentration of nuclear engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nuclear engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $180,360 | $122,180 | $112,211 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $134,510 | $96,690 | $93,335 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach, VA | $110,510 | $81,034 | $82,737 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make in Chicago, IL?
The median nuclear engineer salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $134,510 a year, or about $64.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $108,690 and $164,750.
What is a nuclear engineer’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $134,510 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $96,690 a year ($8,058 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,513 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a nuclear engineer?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $133,970. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $93,335 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nuclear engineer afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median nuclear engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $133,860
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $125,650
- Engineers, All Other — $121,910
- Electrical Engineer — $113,520
- Environmental Engineer — $110,700
- Mechanical Engineer — $102,070
- Industrial Engineer — $101,760
- Civil Engineer — $100,160
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $85,510
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $81,790
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $81,360
- Surveyor — $80,060