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Nuclear Engineer Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering ... Radiant's new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and ...

Computational Nuclear Engineer

Kearny, NJ · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated Computational Nuclear Engineer to join our team, focusing on ... Salary range: $120,000-$180,000 * Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)

Nuclear Engineer I/II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Strong communication skills Pay Ranges Nuclear Engineer I: 120k-135k Nuclear Engineer II: 135k-165k Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on ...

Computational Nuclear Engineer

Kearny, NJ · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated Computational Nuclear Engineer to join our team, focusing on ... Salary range: $120,000-$180,000 * Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)

Engineer II, Nuclear

Rockville, MD · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Execute nuclear engineering assignments with clear and specified objectives; utilize conventional ... Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting ...

Engineer II, Nuclear

Rockville, MD · Hybrid

$100K - $120K/yr

Execute nuclear engineering assignments with clear and specified objectives; utilize conventional ... Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering ... Radiant's new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and ...

Senior Nuclear Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$133K - $184K/yr

Radiant's unique, practical approach to nuclear development leverages modern software engineering ... Radiant's new hire compensation package includes base salary, substantial equity grants, and ...

Nuclear Methods Engineer Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Nuclear ... Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education ...

Showing results 21-40

Nuclear Engineer Salary information

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$26K

$105.6K

$150K

How much do nuclear engineer salary jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear engineer salary in the United States is $105,594.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,500.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average salary of a nuclear engineer?

The average salary of a nuclear engineer in the United States is typically between $80,000 and $130,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start around $70,000, while those with advanced degrees or extensive experience can earn upwards of $150,000. Factors such as the employer, industry, and geographic region can significantly influence salary levels. Nuclear engineers working for the federal government or in research and development tend to earn higher salaries.

What factors can influence the salary range for a nuclear engineer?

Several factors can impact the salary of a Nuclear Engineer, including level of education, years of experience, geographic location, and the specific industry sector (such as power generation, government, or research). Additionally, obtaining professional certifications or security clearances can enhance earning potential. It's also common for Nuclear Engineers working at larger utilities or in regions with high demand for specialized skills to command higher salaries than those in less competitive markets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nuclear engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Engineer, you need a strong background in nuclear physics, engineering principles, and mathematics, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software, radiation detection instruments, and regulatory compliance systems is essential for the technical aspects of the job. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills set outstanding nuclear engineers apart. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of nuclear systems and projects.

What is the difference between Nuclear Engineer Salary vs Mechanical Engineer Salary?

AspectNuclear EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Nuclear Engineering or related field, possibly PE licenseBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly PE license
Work EnvironmentNuclear power plants, research facilities, government agenciesManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors
Industry UsageEnergy, defense, researchManufacturing, automotive, aerospace

While both Nuclear Engineers and Mechanical Engineers require a bachelor's degree and professional licensing, Nuclear Engineers often work specifically in nuclear power plants and research facilities, which can influence salary differences. Generally, Nuclear Engineers tend to have higher median salaries due to specialized skills and industry demand.

Is nuclear engineer a high-paying job?

Nuclear engineers typically earn higher-than-average salaries compared to many other engineering fields, with median annual wages often exceeding $100,000. Their compensation reflects specialized knowledge in nuclear systems, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance, and can increase with experience, certifications, and working in high-demand sectors such as energy or defense.
More about Nuclear Engineer Salary jobs

What cities are hiring for Nuclear Engineer Salary jobs?

Cities with the most Nuclear Engineer Salary job openings:

What states have the most Nuclear Engineer Salary jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nuclear Engineer Salary jobs include:

Infographic showing various Nuclear Engineer Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,594 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

$129K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 23 days ago


U.S. Department Of Energy rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

149th of 855 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is part of the Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors, Department of Energy.
National Nuclear Security Administration Demonstration Project:
This position is covered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Demonstration Project. The NN-04 pay band is equivalent to the GS-14/15 grade levels. For more information on the NNSA Demonstration Project and Pay Band/Salary Tables, review http://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsas-demo-pay-system-compared-general-schedule.

Qualifications:

In addition to demonstrating the basic requirement listed in the education section of this announcement, applicants must also demonstrate possession of specialized experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NN-03, or GS-13 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
  • Experience applying nuclear, mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical engineering principles to plan, manage, and evaluate contractor activities for nuclear propulsion systems;
  • Overseeing or assessing propulsion plant design changes and ship construction to ensure compliance with technical requirements, safety standards, and program objectives; and
  • Experience ensuring implementation of health and safety precautions in engineering work, including evaluation of contractor safety practices and integration of safety considerations into design, construction, and modification activities.

Please ensure that your resume does not exceed two (2) pages in length. If you submit more than two pages, only the first two will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be shared with the hiring manager if you are referred.
You can find the qualification standards for the announced position on the Office of Personnel Management website.
All Professional Engineering Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule (GS) position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service at the, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Few exceptions are outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). NOTE: Current or former GS federal civilian employees, applying for a position under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) must meet time-in-grade requirements.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
  • Employer's name and address
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Start and end dates including month, and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement, or by the cut-off dates listed in the "How to Apply" section below.

Education:

Basic Requirements:
Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.-OR
Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive).

For Professional, Scientific and Engineering Positions: If qualifying on the basis of an alternate method, i.e., professional license, you must submit official documentation to support your claim with your application package. If selected for the position you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to onboarding.
Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

If this vacancy specifies particular educational requirements, please provide documentation to verify your educational claims. This can include unofficial transcripts or any report that lists the institution, courses titles, credit earned, and final grades. For additional information, please see How to fill out your education.Employment Type: OTHER

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