How much does a nuclear engineer make?
The median nuclear engineer in the United States earns $133,970 per year, about $64.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all nuclear engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2161.
Nuclear engineer salary range
Pay for nuclear engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $92,960 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $196,290. The average (mean) wage of $140,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $92,960 | $44.69 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $108,690 | $52.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $133,970 | $64.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $163,630 | $78.67 | |
| 90th percentile | $196,290 | $94.37 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for nuclear engineers (SOC 17-2161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Nuclear engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Nuclear engineers earn the most in District of Columbia at $195,190 a year, and the least in Maine at $123,780. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | 230 |
| California | $172,400 | 1,070 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 | 500 |
| Maryland | $157,960 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | 210 |
| New York | $141,200 | 150 |
| Florida | $135,400 | 120 |
| Illinois | $134,510 | 1,040 |
| Idaho | $133,970 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 | 340 |
| Alabama | $132,570 | 290 |
| Georgia | $132,440 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $131,850 | 460 |
| Michigan | $129,940 | 330 |
| Washington | $129,480 | 1,380 |
| Virginia | $128,890 | N/A |
| Texas | $128,340 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $126,570 | 1,440 |
| Maine | $123,780 | 420 |
State median wages for nuclear engineers (SOC 17-2161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for nuclear engineers
The BLS projects employment of nuclear engineers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for nuclear engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a nuclear engineer
The typical entry-level education for nuclear engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a nuclear engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $195,190) and the lowest (Maine, $123,780) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,280 people work as nuclear engineers in the United States. At $133,970 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Nuclear engineer salary FAQ
How much does a nuclear engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a nuclear engineer is $64.41. The middle half of nuclear engineers earn between $52.26 and $78.67 per hour.
What is the highest nuclear engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of nuclear engineers earn more than $196,290 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a nuclear engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a nuclear engineer is $133,970. The average (mean) wage of $140,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a nuclear engineer a well paid job?
At $133,970 a year, a nuclear engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,280 people work as nuclear engineers in the United States.
Which state pays nuclear engineers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for nuclear engineers at $195,190 a year. California ($172,400) and New Mexico ($164,300) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a nuclear engineer a good career?
Employment of nuclear engineers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a nuclear engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for nuclear engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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