Outpaid

Nuclear Engineers salary

The BLS estimates 15,280 Nuclear Engineers jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $133,970 (May 2025, SOC 17-2161). Across 11 metros with published figures, medians range from $110,510 in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC to $180,360 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.

NUCLEAR ENGINEERS · UNITED STATES · BLS
BLS · UNITED STATES · ALL EMPLOYERS, ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS
P10$92,960P25$108,690MEDIAN$133,970P75$163,630P90$196,290
30 SECONDS · NO SIGNUP · ON-DEVICE

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HIGHEST-PAYING METROS

  1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$180,360 · 840 jobs
  2. Knoxville, TN$179,660 · 240 jobs
  3. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$161,050 · 330 jobs
  4. Kennewick-Richland, WA$156,460 · 230 jobs
  5. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$144,830 · 220 jobs
  6. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$140,590 · 230 jobs
  7. Richmond, VA$140,460 · 350 jobs
  8. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$134,510 · 710 jobs
  9. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$131,850 · 240 jobs
  10. Portland-South Portland, ME$120,430 · 370 jobs

LARGEST METROS

  1. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC$110,510 · 1,260 jobs
  2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$180,360 · 840 jobs
  3. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$134,510 · 710 jobs
  4. Portland-South Portland, ME$120,430 · 370 jobs
  5. Richmond, VA$140,460 · 350 jobs
  6. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$161,050 · 330 jobs
  7. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$131,850 · 240 jobs
  8. Knoxville, TN$179,660 · 240 jobs
  9. Kennewick-Richland, WA$156,460 · 230 jobs
  10. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$140,590 · 230 jobs

EMPLOYERS WITH THE MOST VISA-SPONSORED FILINGS FOR THIS JOB

ALL METROS (A–Z)

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Questions

What is the median Nuclear Engineers salary in the U.S.?

$133,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $108,690–$163,630.

Where do Nuclear Engineers earn the most?

Highest metro medians: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($180,360), Knoxville, TN ($179,660), Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($161,050). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.