Nuclear Engineer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$128,000
national median salary
$103,000 to $158,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $133,970 for Nuclear Engineers (SOC 17-2161) across the United States, based on 15,280 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$92,960
25th percentile
$108,690
Median
$133,970
75th percentile
$163,630
90th percentile
$196,290
Workers surveyed
15,280
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$127,520
May 2025 release
$133,970
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Nuclear Engineers (SOC 17-2161) rather than Nuclear Engineerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 17-2161Highest Paying
$173,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$133,000
Las Vegas, NV
Lowest Paying
$97,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 17-2161. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Nuclear Engineer salary in the United States at $128,000 in 2026, within a range of $103,000 to $158,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $173,000, while Las Vegas offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. The limited talent pool and security clearance requirements create strong salary floors.
Nuclear Engineer salary by city.
Skills that increase Nuclear Engineer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Nuclear Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $17,920 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$17,920 per year
≈ +$16,640 per year
≈ +$15,360 per year
≈ +$14,080 per year
≈ +$14,080 per year
≈ +$12,800 per year
≈ +$12,800 per year
≈ +$11,520 per year
What you should know.
The limited talent pool and security clearance requirements create strong salary floors. Reactor design versus decommissioning roles show 10 to 20% variance. Engineers at operating plants earn shift differentials, while those in the growing small modular reactor (SMR) sector command premiums from venture-backed firms competing for scarce talent.
Junior nuclear engineers start at $88,000 to $100,000. Senior engineers and reactor specialists earn $112,000 to $148,000 after five to eight years. Plant managers and engineering directors reach $155,000 to $210,000, with chief nuclear officers exceeding $250,000.
Utility employers offer 10 to 15% annual bonuses, pension plans, and shift differentials of 8 to 15% for plant-based roles. NRC-licensed senior reactor operators receive $15,000 to $25,000 license premiums. Relocation packages are standard given limited plant locations.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Nuclear Engineers typically earn $115,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Nuclear Engineer pay.
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