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Nuclear Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a nuclear engineer in the United States?
$125,460 per year
According to BLS.gov, the average salary for a nuclear engineer in the United States is $125,460 annually. The lowest salary is $82,150 annually, and the highest is $174,020 annually.
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. Salary data above is the median annual wage.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 13,400; estimated number of nuclear engineer jobs. It is estimated that -100 new jobs will be added by 2033.
☀️ The projected job outlook is in decline with a -1% decline rate.
Work Environment
💼 Most nuclear engineers work in office settings, but these may be in power plants or laboratories.
🏢 31% of nuclear engineers work in nuclear electric power generation, while 21% work in the federal government.
Nuclear Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
How Does a Nuclear Engineer Salary Stack Up?
Nuclear engineers (who earn an average of $125K) earn nearly as much as the typical patent agent (who earns an average of $130K). However, patent agents with a background in nuclear engineering may earn more than the typical patent agent, putting their average much higher. Patent attorneys earn an average of $185K per year which is significantly higher than either.
A nuclear engineer who takes the patent bar exam and transitions into a career in patent law will earn more than those who do not. If you already have at least a Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering, then all you may need is to pass the patent bar exam to start your career in patent law.
Top Nuclear Engineer Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Employment Services | $178,710 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $160,410 |
| Facilities Support Services | $143,000 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $138,250 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals | $136,840 |
Salary by Nuclear Engineer Industry
In the U.S., the average nuclear engineering salary is $125,460.
Nuclear engineers in the employment services industry earn the highest average salary at $178,710. Those working in management, scientific, and technical consulting services receive an average salary of $160,410. In facilities support services, architectural, engineering, and related services, and local government (excluding schools and hospitals), nuclear engineers earn average salaries of $143,000, $138,250, and $136,840, respectively.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of a nuclear engineer:
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Applying relevant information and personal judgment to assess whether events or processes meet legal, regulatory, or standard criteria.
- Working with Computers — Utilizing computers and computer systems, including hardware and software, to program, write software, configure functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing Data or Information — Uncovering underlying principles, reasons, or facts by dissecting information or data into distinct parts.
- Getting Information — Gathering information through observation, reception, and collection from all relevant sources.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as a nuclear engineer:
- Critical Thinking — Applying logic and reasoning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to challenges.
- Science — Employing scientific principles and methods to address issues.
- Active Listening — Fully concentrating on what others are saying, understanding the points made, asking questions when necessary, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving — Recognizing intricate problems and analyzing related information to devise, evaluate, and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Weighing the costs and benefits of various actions to select the most suitable option.
Knowledge required to work as a nuclear engineer:
- Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical use of engineering science and technology, encompassing the application of principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment in the design and creation of various goods and services.
- Physics — Insight into physical principles and laws, their relationships, and applications for understanding the dynamics of fluids, materials, and the atmosphere, as well as mechanical, electrical, atomic, and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- Mathematics — Proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical uses.
- English Language — Mastery of the structure and content of English, including word meanings, spellings, composition rules, and grammar.
Average Education
According to onetonline.org, 81% of nuclear engineers have a Bachelor’s degree while 19% have a Master’s degree.
Top Nuclear Engineer Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
Nuclear engineers in Atlanta, GA, earned the highest average salary among the cities listed, at $172,830. Los Angeles, CA, and Washington, DC, follow with average salaries of $154,890 and $152,060, respectively. In Albuquerque, NM, and Richland, WA, nuclear engineers receive average salaries of $148,190 and $143,730.
Nuclear engineers in the District of Columbia earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $163,610. New Mexico follows with an average salary of $147,350. In New York, Utah, and Maryland, nuclear engineers receive average salaries of $138,360, $137,690, and $136,710, respectively.
Take a look at the average nuclear engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $172,830 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $154,890 |
| Washington, DC | $152,060 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $148,190 |
| Richland, WA | $143,730 |
Look at the average nuclear engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbi | $163,610 |
| New Mexico | $147,350 |
| New York | $138,360 |
| Utah | $137,690 |
| Maryland | $136,710 |
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