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.

Job Outlook & Work Environment

Job Outlook

πŸš€ 13,400; estimated number of nuclear engineer jobs. It is estimated that -100 new jobs will be added by 2033.

β˜€οΈ The projected job outlook is in decline with a -1% decline rate.

Work Environment

πŸ’Ό 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

IndustryAverage 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
Annual mean wages.

Salary by Nuclear Engineer Industry

In the U.S., the average nuclear engineering salaryΒ 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 β€” Applying relevant information and personal judgment to assess whether events or processes meet legal, regulatory, or standard criteria.
  • Working with Computers β€” Utilizing computers and computer systems, including hardware and software, to program, write software, configure functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information β€” Uncovering underlying principles, reasons, or facts by dissecting information or data into distinct parts.
  • Getting Information β€” 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 β€” Applying logic and reasoning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to challenges.
  • Science β€” Employing scientific principles and methods to address issues.
  • Active Listening β€” Fully concentrating on what others are saying, understanding the points made, asking questions when necessary, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving β€” Recognizing intricate problems and analyzing related information to devise, evaluate, and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” Proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical uses.
  • English Language β€” 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.

CityAverage Salary
Atlanta, GA$172,830
Los Angeles, CA$154,890
Washington, DC$152,060
Albuquerque, NM$148,190
Richland, WA$143,730
Annual mean wages.

Look at the average nuclear engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.

StateAverage Salary
District of Columbi$163,610
New Mexico$147,350
New York$138,360
Utah$137,690
Maryland$136,710
Annual mean wages.

Related Careers

Patent Agent

Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.

Average of $130,168/year

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.

Average of $185,351/year

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.

Average of $99,510/year

Job Openings in the United States


Free Video Series: Starting a Career in Patent Law and Passing the Patent Bar Exam.

Get the video series + receive study tips, special offers, and exam updates in our weekly newsletter.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.