As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Senior Nuclear Engineer in the United States is $116,020. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $108,890 to $125,190, with most professionals earning between $102,399 and $133,539.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $125,190 | $10,433 | $2,408 | $60 |
| Average | $116,020 | $9,668 | $2,231 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,890 | $9,074 | $2,094 | $52 |
An entry-level Senior Nuclear Engineer with less than 1 year of experience earns about $112,827. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $113,360. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $114,424. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $118,757, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $121,221.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Nuclear Engineer | $112,827 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Nuclear Engineer | $113,360 |
| Senior Level Senior Nuclear Engineer | $114,424 |
| Specialist Level Senior Nuclear Engineer | $118,757 |
| Expert Level Senior Nuclear Engineer | $121,221 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Senior Nuclear Engineer compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $117,909 in 2023 to approximately $118,066 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Senior Nuclear Engineer salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Senior Nuclear Engineer information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Senior Nuclear Engineer job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Senior Nuclear Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $116,020 | 72.1% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $8,876 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,873 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $2,320 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 5.2% | ||
| Pension | $6,265 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $14,279 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $160,985 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 2.6% |
| Associates | 2.6% |
| Bachelors | 17.9% |
| Masters | 56.4% |
| Doctorate | 20.5% |
What Am I Worth?
To become a nuclear engineer, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is often required for graduation from many bachelor's programs and for entry into master's programs. Some programs may accept GPAs between 2.0-2.6. A higher GPA can enhance your options. As a Senior Nuclear Engineer, you can expect a salary ranging from $117,200 to $142,480, with a mid-salary of $129,000.
A Senior Nuclear Engineer typically earns between $117,200 and $142,480, with a median salary of around $129,000. This range reflects the competitive compensation in the field, which may vary based on experience, location, and specific job responsibilities.
A PhD Nuclear Engineer typically earns a salary ranging from $117,200 to $142,480, with a median salary of around $129,000. While salaries can vary significantly by state, these figures provide a general benchmark for experienced professionals in the field.
Senior Nuclear Engineers typically earn between $117,200 and $142,480 annually, with a median salary of $129,000. While some engineering roles may offer salaries around $200,000, such positions often require specialized skills or experience beyond that of a Senior Nuclear Engineer.
A Navy nuclear engineer typically earns between $117,200 and $142,480 annually, with a median salary of around $129,000. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and specific job responsibilities. In high-paying cities like San Francisco, the annual salary can reach approximately $127,200.
Nuclear engineers in Pearl Harbor earn an average salary ranging from $117,200 to $142,480, with a mid-salary of $129,000. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and contributions to the industry.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
