Nuclear Engineers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $133,970 · Median hourly: $64.41 · Employment: 15,280
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| 25th | $108,690 | $52.26 |
| Median | $133,970 | $64.41 |
| 75th | $163,630 | $78.67 |
| 90th | $196,290 | $94.37 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 17-2161
- Total U.S. employment: 15,280
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
At $64.41 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $133,973 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $133,970.
Nuclear Engineers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $132,570 | $63.74 | -1.0% | 290 |
| California | $172,400 | $82.88 | +28.7% | 1,070 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | +45.7% | 230 |
| Florida | $135,400 | $65.10 | +1.1% | 120 |
| Georgia | $132,440 | $63.68 | -1.1% | 200 |
| Idaho | $133,970 | $64.41 | 0.0% | 0 |
| Illinois | $134,510 | $64.67 | +0.4% | 1,040 |
| Maine | $123,780 | $59.51 | -7.6% | 420 |
| Maryland | $157,960 | $75.94 | +17.9% | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | $70.08 | +8.8% | 210 |
| Michigan | $129,940 | $62.47 | -3.0% | 330 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 | $78.99 | +22.6% | 500 |
| New York | $141,200 | $67.88 | +5.4% | 150 |
| North Carolina | $131,850 | $63.39 | -1.6% | 460 |
| Ohio | — | — | — | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 | $64.06 | -0.5% | 340 |
| South Carolina | $126,570 | $60.85 | -5.5% | 1,440 |
| Tennessee | — | — | — | 720 |
| Texas | $128,340 | $61.70 | -4.2% | 190 |
| Virginia | $128,890 | $61.97 | -3.8% | 0 |
| Washington | $129,480 | $62.25 | -3.4% | 1,380 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for nuclear engineers?
The median annual wage for nuclear engineers is $133,970 ($64.41 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays nuclear engineers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many nuclear engineers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 15,280 nuclear engineers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do nuclear engineers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $64.41. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.