Nuclear Engineers Salary

National and city-level salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025

$133,970

Median Salary

15,280

Total Employed

$140,420

Mean Salary

National Salary Range

$92,960 Median: $133,970 $196,290

P10: $92,960 P25: $108,690 P75: $163,630 P90: $196,290

How Much Do Nuclear Engineers Make?

The national median salary for nuclear engineers is $133,970, with a salary spread of $103,330 from the 10th to 90th percentile -- a 77% range that reflects differences in experience, location, and industry. The mean salary of $140,420 is higher than the median, indicating that top earners pull the average upward. The highest-paying metro area is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, where the median reaches $180,360.

Highest Paying Cities

Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

$180,360

Knoxville, TN

$179,660

Seattle, WA

$161,050

Kennewick, WA

$156,460

Chattanooga, TN-GA

$146,850

Boston, MA-NH

$144,830

Syracuse, NY

$141,200

Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

$140,590

Richmond, VA

$140,460

Miami, FL

$138,220

Where the Jobs Are

Virginia Beach, VA-NC

1,260

Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

840

710

370

350

330

240

240

Kennewick, WA

230

Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

230

Salary by Metro Area

City	Median	P25	P75	Employment
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV	$180,360	$147,520	$196,290	840
Knoxville, TN	$179,660	$119,420	$247,960	240
Seattle, WA	$161,050	$128,790	$166,330	330
Kennewick, WA	$156,460	$127,270	$173,320	230
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$146,850	$126,190	$176,700	100
Boston, MA-NH	$144,830	$103,790	$161,620	220
Syracuse, NY	$141,200	$141,200	$162,690	110
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$140,590	$105,800	$167,110	230
Richmond, VA	$140,460	$129,450	$169,320	350
Miami, FL	$138,220	$116,010	$157,280	30
Monroe, MI	$136,260	$133,030	$166,840	90
Chicago, IL-IN	$134,510	$108,690	$164,750	710
Idaho Falls, ID	$133,970	$107,030	$136,500	--
Pittsburgh, PA	$133,250	$98,590	$163,510	170
Augusta, GA-SC	$132,440	$104,730	$138,250	--
Cleveland, OH	$132,340	$132,340	$160,730	60
Charlotte, NC-SC	$131,850	$131,050	$161,310	240
Raleigh, NC	$130,300	$129,550	$161,530	70
Wilmington, NC	$129,710	$99,660	$158,830	80
Charleston, SC	$129,590	$101,650	$159,780	--
Columbia, SC	$128,340	$128,340	$157,650	120
Huntsville, AL	$125,870	$120,720	$161,290	80
Greenville, SC	$124,690	$97,800	$124,800	150
Portland, ME	$120,430	$107,060	$135,260	370
Atlanta, GA	$119,580	$109,360	$169,120	50
Virginia Beach, VA-NC	$110,510	$97,580	$129,030	1,260

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average nuclear engineers salary?

The national median salary for nuclear engineers is $133,970 as of May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean (average) salary is $140,420. Salaries range from $92,960 at the 10th percentile to $196,290 at the 90th percentile.

Where do nuclear engineers earn the most?

The highest-paying metro areas for nuclear engineers are Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV ($180,360), Knoxville, TN ($179,660), Seattle, WA ($161,050). These figures reflect median salaries from BLS government data.

How many nuclear engineers jobs are there in the U.S.?

There are approximately 15,280 nuclear engineers employed across the United States as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS. This data reflects occupational employment and wage estimates and may not capture total compensation including equity, bonuses, or benefits.