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Nuclear Engineer Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a nuclear engineer in the United States?
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. Salary data above is the median annual wage.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
π 13,400; estimated number of nuclear engineer jobs. It is estimated that -100 new jobs will be added by 2033.
βοΈ The projected job outlook is in decline with a -1% decline rate.
Work Environment
πΌ Most nuclear engineers work in office settings, but these may be in power plants or laboratories.
π’ 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 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.
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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Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
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Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.
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