Nuclear Engineers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 17-2161As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for nuclear engineers in the United States is $133,970 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 15,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $92,960 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $108,690 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $133,970 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $163,630 | Experienced |
| 90th | $196,290 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $180,480 | 230 |
| California | $172,400 | $160,980 | 1,000 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 | $180,290 | 500 |
| Maryland | $157,960 | $155,410 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | $134,020 | 210 |
| New York | $141,200 | $150,090 | 150 |
| Florida | $135,400 | $137,910 | 120 |
| Illinois | $134,510 | $139,280 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $133,970 | $133,750 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 | $134,740 | 340 |
| Alabama | $132,570 | $134,480 | 290 |
| Georgia | $132,440 | $133,010 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $131,850 | $136,120 | 460 |
| Michigan | $129,940 | $128,070 | 330 |
| Washington | $129,480 | $136,540 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $128,890 | $132,710 | — |
| Texas | $128,340 | $129,220 | 190 |
| South Carolina | $126,570 | $125,440 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $123,780 | $123,290 | 420 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a nuclear engineers in the US?
The US national median wage for nuclear engineers is $133,970 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for nuclear engineers in the US?
Pay ranges from $92,960 at the 10th percentile to $196,290 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay nuclear engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for nuclear engineers include District of Columbia ($195,190), California ($172,400), New Mexico ($164,300). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does nuclear engineers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($195,190) pays roughly 58% more than Maine ($123,780). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02